HEAL is an
egalitarian network of activists self-empowered to plan events, create
change, and make the world a better place for all life. Our goals
include the liberation of humans, nonhuman animals, and the earth! We
work in cooperation with like-minded organizations that put compassion
in action!
Please use left side bar
for links to more information on teen liberty and the torture of
American children in the epidemically growing fraudulent,
brainwashing teen torture cult industry. We do not use
these words lightly.
The residential
treatment and wilderness "therapy" programs have been denounced by
the National Institute of Health as being harmful to children and
families as well as ineffective in dealing with teen problems. There
are multiple resources that expose the fraud and abuse of this
industry. Some authors to check out are Dr. Peter Breggin, Alexia
Parks, and Maia Szalavitz. Dr. Peter Breggin is author of mutiple
books regarding appropriate treatment for teens (see
Reclaiming Our Children by Dr. Peter Breggin). Alexia Parks
authored "An
American Gulag" exposing the "teen help" industry and Maia
Szalavitz has written two great books exposing the fraud and abuse
inherent in this industry, "Tough Love America" and "Help
at Any Cost".
We suggest parents do
not remove their children from their home environment unless they
pose an immediate threat to themselves or others. Leading expert in
adolescent psychology and head of the Department of Psychology at
the University of California--Berkeley, Dr. Margaret Singer, has
spoken out against these programs in great detail saying that they
make a child's worst nightmare of abandonment come true and that the
people who run these programs are slick businessmen with no training
or expertise in helping teens appropriately. Maia Szalavitz, author
of "Tough Love America", cites the National Institute of Health
studies on these programs that have determined that they are harmful
and not helpful to teens or their families. Szalavitz also stated on
the Jan. 18th, 2005 episode of Montel Williams that even when
children/teens pose an immediate threat to themselves or others that
at most a short stay (1-4 weeks) in a local psychiatric hospital to
deescalate the situation is what is needed followed by intensive
out-patient family counseling.
The "schools" listed on
our site are either suspectedly or confirmedly abusive. We recommend
no one send children to a facility that matches any of the criteria
on our warning signs list at
www.heal-online.org/warn.htm (see also www.isaccorp.org) . We have successfully exposed the abuses at Bethel Boys
Academy, Bethel Girls Academy (now closed), CEDU Family of Programs
(all programs now closed), Mountain Park Boarding Academy (now
closed), and many others. We had proof of abuse at CEDU programs up
over 6 years ago and they were just closed down on Friday, 3/25/05.
The system sometimes takes too long to catch up with justice and
truth. That's why we exist. We exist to warn and protect families
from abusive behavior modification programs.
If you are a survivor of
one of these programs or otherwise interested in exposing fraudulent
and abusive “treatment” centers or wilderness camps, please
contact us.
For more information on this issue visit:
http://www.heal-online.org/teen.htm.
On the HEAL website you will find links to lawsuits, news articles,
and survivor websites detailing the abuses experienced at these
facilities.
Also, please take a moment to read the open letter quoting
government and private entities with their true intentions in these
matters by visiting
www.beyondbusiness.net/openletter.htm.It is imperative that you DO NOT send your child to an out of
state behavior modification program.It is imperative that you DO NOT send your child to any program
that limits or denies contact between you and your child at any
point in their stay at the facility.
It is imperative that you DO NOT send your child to a facility that
you yourself will not be monitoring on at least a weekly basis in
person to monitor the treatment and well being of your child.Be responsible, for the sake of your children.
If you or your family
were defrauded, abused, and/or subjected to human and civil rights
violations, please get legal assistance now.The statute of limitations varies from state to state.You
have a limited time to file a claim.For a list of attorneys and attorney referral services that can
help you in your pursuit of justice,
click here.
If you are a parent
who was coerced into putting your child on psychotropic drugs by
school
To make a donation to
HEAL specifically for our Teen Liberty/Stop Child Abuse Campaign,
please
click here.
We need your full support to insure needed exposure for this
campaign!Get involved,
donate
or volunteer
today!
Also, we believe ALL
programs outside of the US are suspect and ask that you read the
U.S. State Department’s warning regarding international programs by
clicking here.They have softened the warning from the original.We believe this is due to the corruption in the State
Department, Justice Department, and the White House.Do not, under any circumstances, risk your child’s life in a
program outside of the U.S.
HEAL is not a referral service. We do not advocate placement
of children in unregulated, private,
behavior modification programs or facilities. Please do not
contact us for referrals or approval of your
subjecting a child to this corrupt and destructive industry.
Following is a “work in progress” list of suspected and confirmed
abusive behavior modification programs in the United States.If you have survived an abusive behavior modification program,
please
contact us and tell us your experience.We will post your experience and details about the facility on
this website.We can
protect your identity if you so desire. Understand that this is an incomplete list and that it is your
responsibility to look heavily into the program(s) which you consider placing your child
into.Please use the
following drop down menu to select programs by state or name or simply scroll
down the page:
Alabama
Teen Challengein Oxford (& cities
of Bay Minette, Warrior, ), AL is highly suspected of being a teen
torture facility.Teen
Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the Drug Free
America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs,
click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. For staff information and
background, click
here.
New Beginningsin AL
is a Three Springs program. Based on multiple survivor
accounts of other Three Springs programs and former employee
(employed at Three Springs of Paint Rock Valley facility)
allegations, we find Duck River Boys to be highly suspect.Due to possible litigation in this issue and in order to
protect our sources, we are not divulging more information at this
time.If you have more
information on Three Springs programs and/or were abused while in
their care, please
contact us.
If you were at their follow up transitional facility and experienced
abuse or further violations of your rights, please contact us.
To read survivor reports visit:
www.heal-online.org/threespgs.htm
To review the staff list,
click here.
New Directions Boysin Huntsville, AL is a Three Springs
program. Based on multiple survivor
accounts of other Three Springs programs and former employee
(employed at Three Springs of Paint Rock Valley facility)
allegations, we find Duck River Boys to be highly suspect.Due to possible litigation in this issue and in order to
protect our sources, we are not divulging more information at this
time.If you have more
information on Three Springs programs and/or were abused while in
their care, please
contact us.
If you were at their follow up transitional facility and experienced
abuse or further violations of your rights, please contact us.
To read survivor reports visit:
www.heal-online.org/threespgs.htmTo review the staff list,
click here.
Teen Challenge, Int’lin Seale, AL is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs,
click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.For staff information and background,
click here.
Three Springs of
Courtland, Three Springs Turning Point, and
Three Springs of Paint Rock Valley are lock down facilities with
around the clock observation of children in their care.Based on the description as of February 13, 2004 at the
teenprogram.info site, linked to the program title at the beginning
of this description and former employee (employed at Three Springs
of Paint Rock Valley facility) allegations, we believe that Three
Springs of Courtland and Three Springs of Paint Rock valley is
confirmedly abusive.
Due to possible litigation in this issue and in order to protect our
sources, we are not divulging more information at this time.If you have more information on Three Springs programs and/or
were abused while in their care, please
contact us.
If you were at their follow up transitional facility at Three
Springs Turning Point and experienced abuse or further violations of
your rights, please contact us. To read survivor reports
visit:
www.heal-online.org/threespgs.htmTo review the staff list,
click here.
Palmera Teen Challenge in Double Springs, Alabama is highly suspected of being a teen
torture facility.Teen
Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the Drug Free
America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight, Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald
Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
In George W. Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler
as US ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here.
To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.For staff information and background,
click here.
Teen Challenge of Alaskain Anchorage, AK is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For a look at the staff list and/or links to other programs,
click here.
Anasazi Foundation located in Mesa, AZ was
founded by Larry Dean Olsen, a
long-time associate of Steve Cartisano, is likely abusive.
Please read:
http://www.nospank.net/bacon2.htm (On any page, you
can click on "edit", "find (on this page)", and enter in a word
such as "Anasazi" to find it on the page.) Please contact us
if you were abused or had your rights violated by Anasazi. We
highly suspect Anasazi Foundation of being an abusive program.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Arivaca Boys Ranch--Located
in Arivaca, AZ (on Mexican Border). It looks to be a basic
slave/labor camp. These ranchers get free labor that they
can exploit and abuse while charging families big money.
The website plays into the scapegoating of children by taking
all responsibility off the parents or family dynamic and blaming
the child. This is a sign of an abusive environment.
Children, teenagers, and the adults in their lives all
contribute to the overall social environment that can create
imbalance, lack of good communication, and a complete breakdown
of the family dynamic. It is up to everyone to work
together to resolve family issues. Any program that sets
parents and children against each other and takes the "side" of
the parent without having properly assessed the needs of the
family, including the child in question, is likely fraudulent
and abusive. We would recommend against placing any child
at such a facility as Arivaca Boys Ranch. Please
contact usif you need to
expose abuse or violations at this facility. For staff and
background info, click
here.
Blue Hills Academy
located in Dewey, AZ uses the same language as Resource Realizations
and the TASKS model of behavior modification.Their system is virtually identical to the confirmed abusive
programs such as WWASPS, Provo Canyon School, and Mountain Park
Boarding Academy.Use
the link to Blue Hills Academy (click on the opening title of this
paragraph) and you will be taken to their “what we do that works”
page.It details a
mandatory cut off of communication between parents and children
during the initial phases of “healing”.They use language such as “what works, and what doesn’t work”
which is identical to the trauma-based mind control seminars of
Resource Realizations.
It is our belief that because of the numerous methods used having
matched the warning signs as can be found at
http://www.heal-online.org/warn.htm
as taken from www.isaccorp.com
that Blue Hills Academy is an abusive behavior modification facility
and we advise you DO NOT send your child there and that you DO
rescue your child at once if they are there now!If you were abused at Blue Hills Academy please report your
abuse to authorities and
contact us to have your online statement added here as a warning
to others. For a staff list and history of Blue
Hills Academy,
click here.
Canyon State
Academy (a.k.a. Rite of Passage, Arizona Boys Ranch) located in
Queen Creek, AZ. This program is confirmedly abusive. A
child was killed by staff at this facility. See articles
here and
here.
Please do not subject your child to this program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated at Canyon State Academy (or Arizona
Boys Ranch), please
contact us and we will post your statement here as a warning to
others. For staff and background info,
click here.
Copper Canyon Academy located in
Lake Montezuma, AZ is suspected of being an abusive behavior
modification program.
They use a level-based system similar to Provo Canyon School and the
WWASPS programs.They
limit contact between parent and child to censored/shared w/ staff
written correspondence while on the initial orientation level.This contact is increased to one monthly phone call with staff
supervision watching and monitoring all the child says while on the
phone.These conditions make it virtually impossible for a child to
report any abuse without suffering greater risk of unnecessary and
cruel punishment.
Please do not send your child to any program that limits your
contact with them.If
you were abused at Copper Canyon Academy or had your rights violated
in anyway (it is against federal law for them to read your incoming
or outgoing written correspondence and lawsuits have shown time and
again that these institutions are guilty of breaking federal laws by
doing this) please
contact us and we will post your online statement here as
a warning to others. To read an online statement regarding abuse and
violations at this facility (under previous owners) as reported by a
former employee of Copper Canyon, please
click here. To review the staff list and
history of Copper Canyon staff,
click here.
The Fenster School--Located
in Tucson, AZ. We have received a preliminary report of
abuse at The Fenster School. Based on the preliminary
report, we find Fenster suspected of being an abusive facility. Please
contact us with any information
on The Fenster School. For
staff and background info,
click here.
Gatehouse Academy--Located
in Wickenburg, AZ (and Sarasota Springs, NY). This program
is highly suspected of being an abusive facility.
It's
application states that it is not a "treatment center" or a
"medical center". In addition, all communications are
monitored by staff and visits are also monitored and scheduled.
Any program that denies contact between parent and child at any
time during their stay is likely abusive. Also, parents
are not allowed to spontaneously visit or interact with their
children privately. This is also a red flag. Please
review the warning signs list at
www.heal-online.org/warn.htm
for more information regarding what practices
imply an overly restrictive and/or abusive atmosphere.
Also, Gatehouse allows "distance learning" and is partnered with
Brigham Young University (BYU) for this purpose. BYU is
the birthplace of abusive "treatment" models and this
association suggests that Gatehouse is using an abusive
treatment model. In addition, Gatehouse Academy touts its
affiliation with NATSAP (an accreditation agency created by
abusive behavior modification program owners to give the
appearance of legitimacy to themselves and others in this
industry) and the Woodbury Reports as proof of effectiveness.
Please see our website at
www.heal-online.org/accreditation.htm
for information on how/why these accreditation agencies are
untrustworthy. Woodbury Reports rewards bad behavior and
aids in covering up abuse at many facilities. Also,
Gatehouse is hiring and to work with the patients, all is
required is a "high school diploma" or "equivalent". They
are not providing qualified and trained addiction specialists or
mental health professionals to their clients and allowing
uneducated and inexperienced people to be in unsupervised
positions of power over residents in their care. This is a
serious issue. We recommend you do not subject yourself or
your young adults (17-25 years old) to this facility. If
you have been defrauded, abused, or had your rights violated by
Gatehouse Academy, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others. To learn more about the staff and cult
associations of Gatehouse Academy,
click here.
Oak Creek Ranch Schoollocated in Sedona,
AZ is confirmedly abusive. According to one mother, "My son
went to Oak Creek Ranch School in Sedona, Arizona. We were assured
that it would be a good place for a 12 year old and he would be
among several others of his age, supervised and extra help with some
of his learning and behavioral issues. The whole stay was a
nightmare. There was only one other 12 year old, all the other kids
were high school students, smoking, doing drugs and more. No
supervision every night for 4 hours, kids left to roam around.
Whenever I called the only supervisor would complain constantly that
they were short staffed. My son was expelled for taunting another
kid with bruises on his body. California Child Protective Services
got involved, but nothing ever happened. I contacted the Sherriff's
Dept. in Sedona, and was told that "they are good people at that
school" and they weren't going to investigate. Of course, I was not
refunded any tuition and my son learned everything he shouldn't
have, cussing, smoking, drugs, sexual encounters with older girls.
To this day, 5 years later he still will not tell us about some of
the stuff that went on there, he is scarred, our whole family has
been traumatized by this experience. Schools like Oak Creek Ranch
School need to be put out of business!" Please do not send
your child to Oak Creek Ranch School. If you were abused or
had your rights violated by Oak Creek Ranch School, please
contact us so we can post your experience here as a warning to
others. Thank you! For more information on Oak Creek Ranch School,
please click here.
Parc Placelocated in N. Chandler, AZ is
confirmedly abusive. According to multiple former employees:
"A lockdown rehabilitation facility for troubled teens in north
Chandler is under fire from former employees who claim the place is
plagued by violence, poor management and lax care." See the
whole news report titled, "Ex-employees
question safety for troubled teens at rehab facility" at
http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=6240832&nav=HMO6. If you were
abused or had your rights violated at Parc Place, please
contact us and we will post your experience here as a warning to
others. For staff list and additional information,
click here.
Spring Ridge Academylocated in Spring Valley, AZ is confirmedly abusive and uses
virtually the same language and systems of seminars as Resource
Realizations and the TASKS model of behavior modification.
According to their application form they require parents to turn
over all guardianship rights over to the school while the child is
in the school.They require a commitment of at least 15 months.They ask parents to sign away the right to sue for any reason
other than gross negligence, which they cannot legally require
parents to do in the event they break the law, prove to be
fraudulent and abusive, as we believe they are.They also block communication to the outside world allowing
only letters to and from parents all coming and going through staff
so that no child can report their abuse to their parents without
being punished.They
block phone privileges during the first month(s) of stay.All of these are red flags according to the warning list at
http://www.heal-online.org/warn.htm.
Please do not send your child
to this program.Rescue
them if they are there now!
View some of the fines levied against the program,
click here.
If you were abused at Spring Ridge Academy please
contact us and we will post your online statement here as a
warning to others. For staff list and additional
information,
click here.
Teen
Challenge of Arizonain Phoenix, (and
cities of Tucson, Yuma) AZ is highly suspected of being a teen
torture facility.Teen
Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the Drug Free
America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff list and information,
click here.
Capstone Treatment Center--Located
in Judsonia/Searcy, AR. HEAL finds Capstone suspect
because they use the typical and abusive
behavior
modification/thought reform phase system to forcibly change a
child's beliefs and personality. At least one
Capstone employee has
moved on to a confirmedly abusive and lethal wilderness program.
If you have been abused or had your rights violated at Capstone,
please
contact us and we will post your story
here as a warning to others.
Teen Challenge of Arkansasin Hot Springs
Village, AR is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff background and information,
click here.
Teen Challenge Ranch
in Morrow, AR is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff background and information,
click here.
Feather River Teen Challenge
in Live Oak, CA is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff background and information,
click here.
Homeward Boundin "Bay Area", CA is suspected of being an
abusive behavior modification program and referral center. They
are home-based in Utah and associated with other
Utah
programs that are abusive and/or unregulated. If you were
abused or had your rights violated at Homeward Bound, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
For staff background and information,
click here.
House of Hope
in California a confirmedly abusive behavior modification program.They openly use the phrasing “behavior modification” which
has been described by Dr. Weiss of the Federal Prison System as a
system of brainwashing people into submission using violence,
torture, and cruelty.
They also claim to help cure ODD (Oppositional Defiance Disorder), a
“disorder” that is currently being eradicated from all respectable
medical and psychiatric databases because it defines normal teenage
behavior as a mental disease.In 1992, House of Hope lost a lawsuit against the San Diego
Department of Social Services after the findings of abuse as alleged
by Social Worker Smith were deemed to be well founded and thereby
her actions against House of Hope were justified.(San Diego House of Hope v. San Diego Department of Social
Services)If you were
abused at House of Hope, please
contact us and we will add your online statement here as
a warning to others. For staff and background
information,
click here.
Monterey Teen Challenge
in Watsonville, CA
is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff background and information,
click here.
Pacific
View Retreatlocated somewhere
near the borders of California and Mexico is a WWASPS program for
adults.Representative George Miller of California demanded in
investigation into all World Wide Association of Specialty Programs
and Schools after receiving hundreds of complaints from his
constituents about the torture and abuse suffered by them and/or
their children.You may read the correspondence between John Ashcroft and George Miller by
visiting:
http://nospank.net/ashcroft.htm.
As of January 9th, 2004, California Representative George Miller
demanded, and was denied by John Ashcroft, an investigation into
WWASPS.According to Representative Miller of California,
“There is a
laundry list of abuse of children at WWASPS schools: deprivation of
food, deprivation of contact with their peers, physical abuse,
mental abuse, sexual abuse, and parents are paying big money for
services not rendered," Miller added in a Nov. 6 news release.”If you were abused or had your rights violated at Pacific View
Retreat, please
contact us and we will post your online statement here as
a warning to others.
For more information on WWASP, visit:
www.heal-online.org/wwasp.htm. For staff and
background information,
click here.
Phoenix House in CA is highly
suspected of being an abusive behavior modification program.
Respected teen "help" industry researcher, Maia Szalavitz,
likens the treatment at
Phoenix House to known abusive programs. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Phoenix House, please
contact us and we will post your online statement here as a
warning to others. For staff and background information,
click here.
Redwood Teen Challengein McKinleyville, CA
is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff background and information,
click here.
Southwestern Academy
in California has a program design that raises red flags all over
the place.They use a punishment and reward merit system similar to that
used by Provo Canyon School.Please compare the student handbook at
http://www.southwesternacademy.edu/handbooks2.htm
with the warning signs list at
http://www.heal-online.org/warn.htm.We believe based on the handbook descriptions that this program
is abusive and we recommend you do not send your child there!If you were abused or had your rights violated at Southwestern
Academy, please
contact us and we will post your online statement here as
a warning to others.
For staff background and information,
click here.
Teen Challengein Lincoln, (&
cities of Bakersfield, Redding, Riverside, Sacramento, San Diego,
San Francisco, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Turlock, Ventura,) CA
is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in
2000.The “New Freedom
Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and pharmaceutical lobbyists
working to insure that every child in America is drugged and
virtually enslaved through behavior modification.Please do not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If
you were abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge,
please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff background and information,
click here.
Teen Challenge Int’l—Californiain Oakland, CA is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here.To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff background and information,
click here.
Teen Challenge—Los Angelesin Los Angeles (
South Gate & Hawthorne), CA is highly suspected of being a teen
torture facility.Teen
Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the Drug Free
America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff background and information,
click here.
Teen Challenge New Lifein Sacramento, CA is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility. Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight, Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald
Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
In George W. Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler
as US ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff background and information,
click here.
Colorado Mountain Camps
(Wilderness Program) in Boulder, CO is suspect because of the
contractual requirement that a parent or anyone acting on behalf of
a parent will not sue Colorado Mountain Camps if their child is
lost, injured, or killed while in the care of Colorado Mountain
Camps.There is also limited communication between child and family,
postcards only.
Postcards are a great way to avoid breaking federal laws in reading
incoming and outgoing mail.You may call immediate family (parents) once every two weeks.There is no specification whether or not these calls are
monitored.The links on
the page to Communications with Your Child was not working at the
time this was written, Saturday, February 14th, 2004.As of May 31st, 2005 the website had moved or been
shut down for this program.
We believe that this program is suspect.If you have more detailed information or were abused in this
program, please
contact us and we will add your experience to this
website. For staff and background
information,
click here.
Emily Griffith Center
(aka Griffith Centers for Children) in Denver, CO is confirmedly
abusive.For detailed
reports of abuse, please
click here.They
claim to treat “pre-delinquent” boys ages 15-19.That is a word for preventative psychiatric care, which is also
know historically as neurological programming or brainwashing.In fact, in their literature they refer to the “programming” of
youth.They also call
their doors “escape delay perimeter doors” which leads one to
believe that boys in this program seek to escape.If this were a loving, nurturing, constructive program we
believe they wouldn’t be focused on boys inability to escape as a
selling point.If you
have more detailed information or were abused in this program please
contact us and we will add your experience to this
website.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Monarch Center for Family Healingin Georgetown, CO is confirmedly abusive. The following is
from a Denver Westward
article, by Adam Cayton-Holland, dated November 12th, 2008.
"While some teenagers wake up to find a Monarch staffer
by their bedside, ready to rip them from the life they
know and whisk them to the mountains of Colorado — an
extreme, boot-camp tactic that enforces the seriousness
of what the student is about to go through — Chris went
to Monarch voluntarily, escorted by his parents.
Right
away, Harry noticed a few things that worried him. He
found it odd that his son was going to be in a coed
group camping in the woods. He also wondered if the
cheap, plastic fishing-tackle box stuffed to the brim
with the different medications of Monarch students was
sufficiently secure. But he'd heard that Monarch was
such an amazing place, he let those concerns go.
Out in the field, though, Chris found his daily
routine a far cry from the glitzy, biking/white-water
rafting/mountain-climbing Colorado experience that
Monarch had advertised.
"Basically we'd wake up early, eat breakfast that
consisted of powdered milk and cereal, and then we'd
hike for miles," Chris remembers. "We'd stop for lunch,
then keep hiking for a few more hours, and then we'd
camp. We'd sit around the fire and shoot the shit for a
little bit at night, but it wasn't therapy; it was just
talking. Then the next day we'd do it again. It got to
be really, really boring."
And worse. Early on, Chris lost the spoon he'd been
assigned for his meals, so he had to consume his meager
rations with a stick. An informational pamphlet handed
out at orientation had informed students that they were
to practice a leave-no-trace style of mountaineering,
with each camper issued six squares of toilet paper, but
Chris didn't even get that. "They made me wipe my ass
with rocks and pinecones," he says. "They never had
toilet paper. That six squares thing? That was just
bullshit. The girls were made to drip dry."
Each camper carried a thermos. At streams, they'd
fill up — and then counselors would purify each thermos
with a few drops from an eye-dropper full of chlorine
bleach. Sometimes, Chris says, they would just drop the
bleach directly into the stream and then tell the kids
to fill up. Chris was soon suffering from severe
diarrhea.
Monarch typically takes students out into the field
for two weeks at a time, then brings them back to
Georgetown for a week of family therapy. When the Haneys
arrived from Fort Worth, where Harry owns a company that
manufactures highway safety equipment, Chris smelled so
bad that he had to shower twice before they could take
him out for a meal, Harry remembers.
At their first family session, Chris complained about
conditions at Monarch. But his parents figured it was
just normal bitching about "bad kids' camp," and they
sent him back into the field.
The second time Harry came up for family week, he
could see in his son's eyes that something wasn't right.
"He said, 'Dad, you have to get me out of here; they
just want me for the money,'" Harry remembers."
If you were abused
or had your rights violated at Monarch, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a
warning to others. For staff and background
information,
click
here.
Mountain
Homes Youth Ranch
in Dinosaur, CO (business office in Vernal, UT) is suspected of
being an abusive behavior modification program.We base this suspicion on the fact that the use a phase system
similar to that in the WWASPS programs.We were unable to download the “in-depth MHYR program packet”
and were unable to confirm our suspicions due to the lack of
information available.If you were abused at Mountain Homes Youth Ranch, please
contact us so we may post your experience here as a
warning to others. For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen
Challenge of Coloradoin Olathe, CO is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge—Rocky Mountains
in Crestone, CO is highly suspected of being a teen torture
facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Devereux Glenholmein CT is a
confirmedly abusive behavior modification program.According to one woman’s experience: “from there it was on to
Devereux Glenholme, a correctional school/residential/hell. a high
priced jail that was dressed up to look like a well to do boarding
school. nearly two years of that place has scarred me like nothing
else could ever. they abused their rights as caregivers by tapping
phone conversations between children and their parents, stealing
funds, opening mail, using abusive techniques for restrainment,
using funds for campus beautification, not the well being of the
kids, and lying to the board of health. creativity and
self-expression was smothered out as soon as possible there. if it
weren’t for the friends I made there I would try to forget this part
of my life.”This was taken from
http://allthesescarsaremine.50megs.com/moi/.
To view other survivor statements regarding Deveraux Glenholme,
please
click here. If you were abused at Deveraux
Glenholme, please
contact us and we will post your online statement here as
a warning to others.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen
Challengein New Haven, CT is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen
Challenge—DCin Washington D.C.
is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Camp
Tracey Children’s Home—operated by Harvest Baptist Church north of Glen Saint Mary, FL is
confirmedly abusive.As
early as 1987 abuse was documented at this program.A grand jury issued a report on abuse and negligence
complaining that thee camp did not keep records of injuries or
abuse, did not report suspected abuse to the state, had no staff
trained in health or nutrition, was not inspected for compliance
with health, building and fire codes; had no certified teachers,
scheduled a grossly substandard amount of time for instruction, had
a convicted felon on staff, censored students’ mail, severely
limited contact of students with their parents, used corporal
punishment frequently, restrained students with ropes and handcuffs,
and forced them into slavery (uncompensated work for private
citizens under duress of physical/mental punishment).
We recommend parents do not send their child to this program.If you were abused or had your rights violated at Camp Tracey,
please
contact us and
we will post your experience here as a warning to others.Detailed report provided by
Children’s Healthcare Is a Legal Duty, Inc.
Nov. 4th, 2004 newsletter.
For staff and background information,
click here.
E-Kel-Etu--Located
in Silver Springs, FL. This is an Eckerd Youth
Alternatives program. Eckerd is confirmedly abusive.
See:
http://www.isaccorp.org/eckerd/michael-wiltsie.06.29.00.html
For staff and background info,
click here.
If you were abused or had your rights violated by E-Kel-Etu, please
contact us
and we will post your statement here as a warning to others.
Growing Together in Palm Beach, FL is
confirmedly abusive. One family member reports, "My sibling
was abused at Growing Together... It uses the
Straight "treatment" model." If you were abused or had
your rights violated at Growing Together, please
contact us and we will post your experience here as a warning to
others. For staff and background information,
click here.
New
Beginnings Rebekah Home
(aka New Beginnings Girls Academy or
Marvelous Grace Girls Academy)—in Pace, FL is
confirmedly abusive.
The former owners, Mr. & Mrs. Cameron, have opened and closed their
lockdown residential facilities in TX, MO, and MS before bringing
them to FL in 2001.
Texas has permanently banned Mrs. Cameron from working with children
or being present at a juvenile facility.
A local TV station reported in Dec. 2004 that FL state officials had
investigated two allegations of abuse at the school, one for
requiring “extreme physical exertion” of a student and an accusation
that Mrs. Cameron hit a girl with a curtain rod.Soon afterwards the school changed its name to New Beginnings
Girls Academy and the Camerons’ names were removed from its
literature.Like the
Camerons, however, the new director, Bill McNamara, strongly
emphasizes the girls’ sinfulness and prohibits contact with their
siblings, according to the sister of one student.Detailed report provided by
Children’s Healthcare Is a Legal Duty, Inc.
Nov. 4th, 2004 newsletter.If you were abused or had your rights violated at New
Beginnings, please
contact us and
we will post your experience here as a warning to others. To
view survivor statements regarding the Cameron's and these programs
please click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Our Father’s Housein Milton, FL
owned and operated by former Ku Klux Klansman John Burt is
confirmedly abusive.In
2004, Burt was convicted of sexually molesting a 15-year old girl.He is presently out on bond pending his appeal.Our Father’s House remains operational.Please do not subject your child to Our Father’s House.Detailed report provided by Children’s Healthcare Is a Legal Duty, Inc.
Nov. 4th, 2004 newsletter.If you were abused or had your rights violated at Our Father’s
House, please
contact us and
we will post your experience here as a warning to others.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Safe
Harbor Boys Homein Jacksonville, FL
is suspected of being an abusive behavior modification facility.They use a level system similar to that in the WWASPS programs
and require parents to enroll their children for at least one year.They also state on their website (as of 9/29/04) that if
parents have second thoughts (why would they if it was a
safe/healthy environment for their child?) that they shouldn’t have
placed the child with Safe Harbor to begin with.Why does Safe Harbor need to control the parents as well as the
children?In the least,
their website and policies give us at HEAL pause and we recommend
you do not send your child to this facility.If you were abused or had your rights violated at Safe Harbor
Boys Home, please
contact us and we will post your experience here as a
warning to others. For staff background and information,
click here.
The Tampa Marine Institutein St.
Petersburg, FL is suspected of being an abusive behavior
modification facility. Tampa Marine Institute and all of it's
affiliated programs are very vaguely described in their literature
or on their website. They claim that "what they do works", but
do not explain exactly what they do. They hint at practices
that deny persons in their program life, liberty, and property
without due process of law and are located in the founding city of
Straight, Inc. and other notoriously unregulated and abusive
facilities. Since Florida does not regulate this industry we
recommend you do not send your child to any program in Florida
including this one. If you were abused or had your rights
violated by Tampa Marine Institute or any of its affiliated
programs, please contact us
so we can post your statement here as a warning to others.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen
Challenge—FL, Inc.in Arcadia, FL is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen Challenge in Bonifary, FL is
confirmedly abusive. If you were abused at Teen Challenge in
Bonifay, please
contact us
and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen Challenge Int’l—Floridain Orlando, (and
cities of Sanford, Fort Myers, Pensacola, Tarpon Springs, Davie,
Tampa) FL is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen Challenge Lakeland Girlsin Lakeland, FL is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen Challenge Ministriesin Jacksonville, FL
is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen Challenge of Floridain Vero Beach, FL is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen Challenge Women’s Centerin Ft.Myers, FL is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen
Transformation Ministriesin Oveido, FL is
confirmedly abusive.In
2003, a 13-year old boy suffered a broken shoulder and fire ant
bites there.The
Seminole County sheriff reported that he complained of the shoulder
injury, but was not given medical attention.The boy was forced to pull down his pants and sit on a fire ant
mound at the group home, the sheriff said.The sheriff’s office returned all the boys in the program to
their parents while the abuse allegations were investigated, but,
the school had five boys enrolled again the next year.The state does not have the authority to close the school
down.Detailed
report provided by
Children’s Healthcare Is a Legal Duty, Inc. Nov. 4th,
2004 newsletter.If you
were abused at Teen Transformation Ministries, please
contact us and we will post your experience here as a
warning to others. For staff and background
information,
click here.
Victory Christian Academy(aka
Lighthouse of Northwest Florida) in Jay, FL is confirmedly
abusive.It is the
sister program of Genesis by the Sea, a program recently closed down
in Mexico for gross human rights violations of the children in their
care.To read survivor
accounts of life at Victory Christian Academy,
click here. Michele
Ulriksen has written an expose' on Victory Christian Academy,
see:
www.ReformAtVictory.com
If you were abused or had your rights violated at Victory Christian
Academy, please
contact us and we will post your experience here as a warning to
others. For staff and background information,
click here.
West Florida Teen Challenge Boys’ Ranch—in Bonifay, Florida is a confirmedly abusive teen program.
See the
youtube of a child pleading for help.
The contract parents must sign with Teen Challenge does not
indicate that the school meets standards that might be roughly
equivalent to state requirements.The contract states that the Florida Association of Christian
Child-Caring Agencies’ (FACCCA) “intent” is to “insure the physical
and spiritual health, safety, and well being” of the children and
therefore that thee boy’s ranch must meet FACCCA’s “minimum
standards,” but the only one described in the contract is allowing
access to public officials who inspect for fire, health, safety, and
sanitation codes.
Parents have to agree to hold the ranch and its employees harmless
from “any and all liability” for injury to the child “even injury
resulting in death.”
Parents must agree “that God desires that they resolve their dispute
with one another within the church and that they be reconciled in
their relationships in accordance with the principles stated in I
Corinthians 6:1-8, Matthew 5:23-24, and Matthew 18:15-20.”If they cannot resolve their disagreement privately within the
church, parents must accept resolution through “biblically based
mediation” by rules of the Association of Christian Conciliation
Services.There is no
refund of tuition or deposits if the boy leaves the ranch before 15
months even if the ranch has expelled him.Several former students say that staff, “use physical
punishment, ridicule intimidate and/or verbally abuse children; use
chemical restraints; employ cruel or humiliating treatment or other
emotionally abusive behavior; assign excessive exercise or work
duties, deny food, clothing, shelter, medical car, and/or prescribed
therapeutic activities, or contacts with family, counselors, or
legal representatives as a form of punishment.”Please do not send your child to any Teen Challenge program.Detailed report provided by
Children’s Healthcare Is a Legal Duty, Inc. Nov. 4th,
2004 newsletter.To
read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
If you were abused or had your rights violated by any Teen Challenge
program, please
contact us and we will post your experience here as a
warning to others. To visit a survivor site for
Teen Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Appalachian Wilderness Camp
operated in the North Georgia Mountains, GA is confirmedly abusive.On April 20th, 2005 Appalachian Wilderness Camp
staff restrained Travis Parker, an asthmatic, denied him proper
medical care (refused to give his inhaler), and as a result he died.This program is no place for children.For more on this story visit:
http://www.ajc.com/search/content/auto/epaper/editions/today/news_24c776ec0553126810c1.htmlThe staff are poorly trained and out of control.No child should die or be tortured in the name of treatment.If you were abused at Appalachian Wilderness Camp, please
contact us
and we’ll add your online testimony to this website.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Broken Shackle Ranchis located in
Davisboro, GA.They are
a confirmedly abusive behavior modification program.In 2003, they were ordered to pay over $1 million in a
wrongful death suit.
They were found liable for Bryan Jones’ death.Jones was fifteen when he was electrocuted to death while in
the care of Broken Shackle Ranch.(Case
No. A03A1064). See the
lawsuit,
Lawsuit Against Broken Shackle
Ranch (in Georgia)
.
In addition, according to their website they use a level system
(similar to that of the abusive WWASPS programs).They aim at completely changing the personalities of the
children in their care.
They do this through what they call both “negative and positive”
reinforcement.We
believe based on the information available on their website as of
2/14/04 and the lawsuit(s) filed against them that they are a
confirmedly abusive program.
If you were abused at Broken Shackle Ranch, please
contact us and we’ll add your online testimony to this
website. For staff and background information,
click here.
Carolina Springs Academyis located somewhere near the borders of Georgia and South Carolina.Based on the less than open nature of their website and the
fact that their contact information is solely a phone number without
public disclosure of even the city of their location we believe that
Carolina Springs Academy is suspect.What leads us to further believe that Carolina Springs
Academy is suspect is their descriptions of their program.They use cognitive-behavioral restructuring (aka trauma-based
mind control) as well as a merit system not unlike that used by
WWASPS and Provo Canyon School.
We believe it is in the best interest of you and your child that you
do not send your child to Carolina Springs Academy.If you attended Carolina Springs Academy and were abused while
in their care, please
contact us and we’ll add your online testimony to this
website. For staff information and background,
click here.
Coastal Harbor Treatment Center--Located in Savannah, GA.
Is owned and operated by Universal Health Services and trades
staff on occasion with confirmedly abusive
Provo Canyon School
(also owned by Universal Health Services). We suspect
Coastal Harbor is abusive due to its close affiliation with
confirmedly abusive Provo Canyon School/UHS. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Coastal Harbor,
contact us and we will post your statement here as a warning
to others. For staff and background info,
click here.
This program takes children as young as 4 years old.
Hidden Lake Academy (a.k.a. Ridge Creek
School, Ridge Creek Wilderness)
is located in Dahlonega, GA.
Hidden Lake Academy is a confirmedly abusive program.According to reports to our site they are guilty of numerous
offences including: violation of constitutional rights, medical
malpractice, and more.
If you would like to read more on the evidence against Hidden lake
Academy, click
here. If you'd like to
read about or join the current class action lawsuit against Hidden
Lake Academy,
click here. If you attended Hidden Lake Academy and
were abused while in their care, please
contact us and we’ll add your online testimony to this
website.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Shepherd's Hill Farm--Located in Martin, GA.
Shepherd's Hill Farm is confirmedly abusive. For survivor
statement(s),
click here. One survivor reported: "I
was a student at an abusive school around 7-8 years ago, when the
program was first starting. I was a student for a little over two
years. I just now began to tell people about it and they have told me I
need to contact lawyers and that what they did was abuse. I am not sure
what to do though. I was a student at Shepherds Hill Farm Academy
Owned by Trace Embry and his Wife Beth Embry. I believe that Trace
Embry is a twisted sick man who used his good way with words and the
bible, to abuse children and rob parents and families of $58,900 a year.
I believe he is a threat to children, to parents, and family's and by
extension voting and all of society and the future. Trace and his wife
are sick people who are leading a cult and harming hundreds and hundreds
of innocent people. No one deserves to be treated the way I was treated
at SHF; treated like some scumbag would treat a dog. I have horrible
anxiety and nervousness. I have a hard time being around authority
figures because they frighten me inside very much. I have talked to
other former students of SHF, from around when I went. They agree to be
in a class action law suit against SHF. Some of them have had to
undergo VERY MUCH therapy and real, professional help to heal the wounds
left on them by SHF and Trace. I really hope you can help me or at
least help get the word out about SHF so that other ex students may come
forward. This place absolutely needs to be investigated and shut down."
We recommend no parent subject any child to an unregulated program.
Please
contact us with any information on Shepherd's Hill Farm. For
staff and background information,
click here.
Teen
Challenge—Athenslocated in Athens,
GA is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge—Atlantalocated in Atlanta,
GA is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge—Columbusin Columbus, GA is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge—Maconin Macon, GA is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000. The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If
you were abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge,
please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge of Middle Georgiain Dublin, GA is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Ascent Wilderness Intervention: (a.k.a. Ascent, Inc.--RE-OPENED
UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP) in Idaho was (when owned by CEDU) a confirmedly
abusive behavior modification program.
It is now owned by Universal Health Services (a German
mega-corporation). Universal Health Services (UHS) also owns
many other programs including the notoriously abusive Provo Canyon
School (see:
www.heal-online.org/provocases.htm,
www.heal-online.org/sign.htm, &
www.beyondbusiness.net/provotruth.htm, ) According to a
CEDU program survivor, “I
attended Ascent and CEDU in CA. If you love your child STAY AWAY
FROM THIS SCHOOL. I can tell you stories that will make you sick. I
have also heard alot of horror stories from students who attended
some of the other schools on this site. Please - do your research
before sending your child into the care of strangers.If you want more information please contact me at
ArtemBiz@yahoo.com.”If you would like to read
about other survivor stories that have firsthand experience of the
abuses at Ascent, please
click here.
If you were abused or had your rights violated at Ascent, please
contact us and we will post your online statement here as
a warning to others. For staff and background
information,
click here.
Boulder Creek Academy:
(RE-OPENED
UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP)in
Bonners Ferry, ID was (when owned by CEDU) a confirmedly abusive behavior
modification program.
It is now owned by Universal Health Services (a German
mega-corporation). Universal Health Services (UHS) also owns
many other programs including the notoriously abusive Provo Canyon
School (see:
www.heal-online.org/provocases.htm,
www.heal-online.org/sign.htm,
www.beyondbusiness.net/provotruth.htm, &
www.heal-online.org/provocanyon.htm)
According to a CEDU program survivor, “I attended Ascent and CEDU in CA. If you love
your child STAY AWAY FROM THIS SCHOOL. I can tell you stories that
will make you sick. I have also heard alot of horror stories from
students who attended some of the other schools on this site. Please
- do your research before sending your child into the care of
strangers.If you want more information please contact me at
ArtemBiz@yahoo.com.”Don’t send your child to a CEDU program!If you were abused at Boulder Creek Academy, please
contact us and we will post your online statement here as
a warning to others.
Please visit
www.heal-online.org/cedu.htm
for more information on the abuse at CEDU facilities. For
staff and background information,
click here.
Clear Viewin Sandpoint, ID is suspected of being an abusive
behavior modification program.
What leads us to believe it is suspect is the fact that they
encourage limited communication between patient and their family and
only allow family visits every four months and under the supervision
of Clear View therapists.
There are big red flags here.
Children should be allowed open phone privileges to parents at all
times and private communications between the child and their parents
at all times.Families
should be encouraged to be an integral part of their child’s therapy
from the on-set not four months into treatment.Due to all of these reasons we believe Clear View is clearly
suspect and best to be avoided.If you were abused while in the care of Clear View, please
contact us and we will add your personal statement to our
website. For staff and background information,
click here.
Elk Mountain Academyin Clark Fork, ID
is confirmedly abusive. "The
counselor arrested on sexual battery charges at a North Idaho
private school for troubled teenage boys has admitted to authorities
he had been a long-time sex addict, including the more than three
decades he served as a Catholic priest. Louis Wayne
Ladenburger, 70, was arrested Wednesday on three charges of sexual
battery with a minor after a three-week investigation by the Bonner
County Sheriff’s Special Victims Unit. Ladenburger worked at
the Elk Mountain Academy near Clark Fork for only a few months as a
therapist before the first alleged incident involving one of the
students. The investigation started three weeks ago after a
17-year-old student told his parents Ladenburger had touched him."
Taken from KXLY.com on May 30th, 2007. Please do not send your
child to Elk Mountain Academy. If you were abused or had your
rights violated while in the care of Elk Mountain Academy, please
contact us and we will add your personal statement to our
website. Also see:
http://www.ruralnorthwest.com/artman/publish/article_7410.shtml
Here's a brief sampling of the before linked article: "A therapist
working at Elk Mountain Academy for seven months was arrested May 30
by the Bonner County Sheriff's Office and charged with two counts of
sexual battery of a minor. Louis W. Ladenburger was also
charged with a third count of sexual battery of another minor. Both
are students at the Clark Fork therapeutic high school for at-risk
teenage boys. Landenberg remains Bonner County Jail on
$100,000 bail. Carl Olding, founder and director of the
academy that began in 1994, said he received a call from a parent at
6 a.m. on May 5 claiming their son had been inappropriately touched
by Ladenburger. "My wife notified Child Protective Services at
their 24-hour hotline while I was in route to Sandpoint, where I met
with the parents and their son in their hotel room two hours later,"
he said. After he arrived, Olding interviewed the student with
his parents present. "My sense was the student was telling me
the truth," he said. "He told me he thought the therapist would tell
me the truth. I then interviewed Mr. Ladenburger, who admitted the
entire story that the student shared was in fact true." Olding
said he then stepped outside and called the sheriff's office around
9:30 a.m., made the report and offered to testify that Ladenburger
had admitted the alleged crime. Olding's wife also reported the
incident to the Department of Health and Welfare at approximately 11
a.m." For staff and background information,
click here.
SUWS
(School of Urban and Wilderness Survival)is located in Idaho and is owned by Aspen
Education Group, highly suspected of being a teen torture
organization.Based on the fact that they use a level system and are owned by
Aspen Education Group (confirmed abuse at 3 Aspen Education Group
programs), we determine that SUWS is suspect and ought to be
avoided.If you were abused by SUWS or they violated your rights in
anyway (if at any time you had your mail read or censored they
violated your civil rights, for example), please
e-mail us and we will post your experience here as a warning to
others.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen
Challenge of Idahoin Boise, ID is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Turning Winds
in Hayden, ID (Turning
Winds has moved to Troy, MT) is confirmedly an
abusive behavior modification program.
The biggest red flag in this regard is the statement parents are
asked to initial in the contract that reads, “The Turning Winds
personnel shall be able to physically restrain, control, and detain
him/her (your child) for and including, but not limited to, the
following purposes: to protect the student, protect property,
protect Turning Winds personnel or others from physical injury or
threat of physical injury from the student, to transport the
student, and to prevent the student from running away from the
program.”Decisions of this nature are subjective and signing such a
release allows Turning Winds a legal out if they physically harm
your child unjustly. Please see the report at:
http://www.bonnercountydailybee.com/articles/2008/03/02/news/news02.txt
Also, one of HEAL's Coordinators is a survivor of Turning Winds and
has reported verbal abuse and deprivation of food.
Turning Winds also uses WWASPS/Resource Realizations language and
further leads us to believe that it is an abusive program.If you were abused at Turning Winds, please
contact us and we will add your statement to this
website. For staff and background information,
click here.
Maryville Academy
in Des Plaines, IL is highly suspected of being an abusive facility.
We have reports on our survivor message forum suggesting this
facility uses an abusive behavior modification model. Please
do not send your child to this facility. If you were abused or
had your rights violated by Maryville Academy, please
contact us so we can post your story here as a warning to
others. For staff and background information,
click here.
Norman C.
Sleezer Youth Homein Freeport, IL
is highly suspected of being an abusive facility. We have
reports on our survivor message forum suggesting this facility uses
an abusive behavior modification model. Please do not send
your childto this facility. If you were abused or had your rights
violated by Sleezer Youth Home, please
contact us so we can post your story here as a warning to
others. For staff and background information,
click here.
The ChalleNGe Academy
in Lincoln, IL is highly suspected of being a brainwashing facility
for teens. It's sister program,
The ChalleNGe Academy at Ft. McCoy, WI makes inconsistent claims
about it's program and denies "students" contact with the outside
world (including family and friends) during the first "phase" of the
program. If you were abused or had your rights violated at The
ChalleNGe Academy, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others. For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen Challenge
Center—Chicago
in Chicago, IL is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us
and we will post your story here as a warning to others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs,
click here.
To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here.To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen Challenge of Illinois
in Decatur, IL is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Hephzibah House in Warsaw, IN
is confirmedly abusive. One non-custodial adult relative has
reported to HEAL that children are regularly held down and
physically abused and battered by a minimum of three staff members
participating in the abuse at a time and that children's letters are
monitored and censored in direct violation of the children's civil
rights. See video of survivors reporting abuse:
New Horizons Youth Ministries in Marion,
IN (as well as Ontario Canada and the Dominican Republic) is a
confirmedly abusive program. Please visit:
http://nhym-alumni.org/
for detailed allegations of abuse at these programs. To read
survivor testimony,
click here. If you were abused or had your rights violated
by New Horizons Youth Ministries, we ask that you
contact us with your story so we can post it here as a warning
to others. For staff and background information,
click here.
Pathway Family Centerin Indianapolis, IN
is
confirmedly abusive. Do not send your child to this
program. Please visit:
www.pfctruth.com
for more information. If you were abused or had your rights
violated by Pathway Family Center, please
contact us with your story and we will post it
here as a warning
to others. For staff and background information,
click here.
Resolutein Indianapolis, IN is reportedly abusive.
Reports state that Resolute uses similar methods of those used at
WWASPS and Provo Canyon School. Please do not send your child
to Resolute. If you were abused at Resolute or had your rights
violated in anyway, please
contact us and we will add your online statement to this
website as a warning to others. For staff and background
information, click
here.
Triple
L Youth Ranchin Anderson,
IN is suspected of being an abusive behavior modification program.They use a “four phase” (aka four level) system that begins
with orientation.
Orientation can last a very long time depending on how quickly the
child succumbs to being controlled completely by the Triple L Youth
Ranch staff.Level systems are known to be red flags for those investigating
and who have survived such programs.We recommend you do not send your child to Triple L Youth
Ranch.If you were
abused at Triple L Youth Ranch, please
contact us with your experience and we’ll add it to the
website as an online statement. For staff and
background information,
click here.
Anchor Character
Training Academy--It is located in Fort Dodge, IA.
Please
contact us
to report violations or abuse
at Anchor Character Training Academy (or any Lighthouse/Roloff
Ministries program). This program is likely abusive. It
is affiliated with long-running programs known to be physically,
psychologically, and sexually abusive as well as deadly. For
staff and background info,
click here.
Midwest Academy in Keokuk, IA
is a World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools
Program.Representative
George Miller of California demanded in investigation into all World
Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools after receiving
hundreds of complaints from his constituents about the torture and
abuse suffered by them and/or their children.There is an online article detailing the allegations of abuse
at You may read the correspondence between John Ashcroft and George Miller by
visiting:
http://nospank.net/ashcroft.htm.
As of January 9th, 2004, California Representative George Miller
demanded, and was denied by John Ashcroft, an investigation into
WWASPS.According to Representative Miller of California,
“There is a
laundry list of abuse of children at WWASPS schools: deprivation of
food, deprivation of contact with their peers, physical abuse,
mental abuse, sexual abuse, and parents are paying big money for
services not rendered," Miller added in a Nov. 6 news release.”
For more information on WWASP, visit:
www.heal-online.org/wwasp.htmIf you were abused at
Midwest Academy, please
contact us and will post your online statement here as a
warning to others. For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen
Challenge—Midlands
in Colfax, (& cities of Des Moines,) IA is highly suspected of being a
teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the Drug
Free America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight, Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald
Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
In George W. Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler
as US ambassador to Italy.George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in
2000.The “New Freedom
Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and pharmaceutical lobbyists
working to insure that every child in America is drugged and
virtually enslaved through behavior modification.Please do not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If
you were abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge,
please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen
Challenge—Lawrencein Lawrence, KS is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Hope Hills--in
Hope, KY is suspected of being an abusive facility.
They use a “four phase” (aka four level) system that begins with
orientation.
Orientation can last a very long time depending on how quickly the
child succumbs to being controlled completely by the Hope Hills
staff.Level systems are known to be red flags for thogse
investigating and who have survived such programs.We recommend you do not send your child to Hope Hills.
If you were abused at Hope Hills, please
contact us with your experience and we’ll add it to the
website as an online statement. For staff and
background information,
click here.
North Key
(formerly Children's Psychiatric Hospital of Northern Kentucky)
in Covington, KY is highly suspected of continuing to be an abusive
behavior modification facility. Here is one verified
survivor's story:
"I had an experience with
an abusive facility in Covington, Kentucky. However, this was in
1990, so I don't know how up-to-date my information is. The
facility was called Children's Psychiatric Hospital of Northern
Kentucky (CPH), but it is now known as NorthKey. From what I know,
only the name has changed. It is still billed as a "hospital",
but it is actually an abusive facility. CPH used deceptive
marketing to encourage my parents to allow me to be placed there.
(This was around the time I turned 17.) When I entered, I was forced
to sign a paper without reading it first. Later I found out
this was an agreement that bound me to be kept at CPH until the
facility decided to let me go. Within the first few days of my
stay, I was physically attacked by guards, locked in the
"quiet room" for hours and bombarded with noise, and later
given an injection without being told what it was (which knocked me
out almost instantly). Throughout the stay, I was force-fed various
drugs and threatened with severe retaliation if I refused to
take them. The staff enjoyed humiliating kids who were
detained in CPH. If anyone ran away from the facility, and was
returned, they would not be allowed to wear shoes for a week as a
punishment for "running" from CPH. When kids were locked in the
"quiet room", they were monitored by a closed-circuit TV that was
shown to the other kids to make an example of them. Often the
kids were restrained in a painful device called a "boat" for hours
on end. Sleep deprivation, denial of meals, and exposure to
cold were also very common. Also, we had regular group therapy
sessions in which the kids in the facility were to gather in a
circle and confront each other about their "problems."
CPH also committed insurance fraud in order to keep me there for
months. This is clearly an abusive facility, even if not as
well-known as the others. Please do not use my name on
any of my details about this facility. Everything in my
statement is true. I give HEAL permission to use my statement."
If you were abused or had your
rights violated by North Key, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others. For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen
Challenge—Kentucky
in Louisville, KY is highly suspected of being a teen torture
facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Crossroads Youth Ranch in Roseland,
LA is confirmedly abusive. We've received reports from parents
describing fraud, abuse, and enslavement of their children by
"Pastor Gary". Please do not send your child to Crossroads
Youth Ranch. If you'd like to submit your survivor report
regarding Crossroads, please
contact us and we'll post it here as a warning to others. For
staff and background information,
click here.
Evangeline Christian Home for Girls
is suspected of being abusive by our researchers.The main reason we find them suspect is the secrecy of their
program.To learn
anything about their program you have to call and hear a sales pitch
in which your questions are not answered, are over-talked, or simply
avoided.They claim to
offer programs that take at least one year to complete.For more information you have to enroll your child.Such secrecy is suspect and we recommend you do not send your
child to Evangeline Christian Home for Girls.If you were abused at Evangeline Christian Home for Girls,
please
contact us so we can post your online statement here as a
warning to others. For staff and background info,
click here.
Hope Youth Ranch in Minden, LA is
confirmedly abusive. 8 employees are currently facing charges
(as of May, 2006) of negligent homicide in connection with a boy's
death at the program. To learn more about this case, visit:
http://www.ksla.com/Global/story.asp?S=4935734&nav=0RY5 If
you were abused or had your rights violated by Hope Youth Ranch,
please contact us so we can post your online statement here as a
warning to others. For staff and background information,
click here.
Red River
Academy--in LeCompte, LA is affiliated with the World Wide
Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS). Their
sister programs include Midwest Academy in Iowa, which is a WWASP/S
program.
Representative George Miller of California demanded in investigation
into all World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools
after receiving hundreds of complaints from his constituents about
the torture and abuse suffered by them and/or their children.
There is an online article detailing the allegations of abuse at You may read the
correspondence between John Ashcroft and George Miller by visiting:
http://nospank.net/ashcroft.htm. As of January 9th,
2004, California Representative George Miller demanded, and was
denied by John Ashcroft, an investigation into WWASPS. According to
Representative Miller of California, “There
is a laundry list of abuse of children at WWASPS schools:
deprivation of food, deprivation of contact with their peers,
physical abuse, mental abuse, sexual abuse, and parents are paying
big money for services not rendered," Miller added in a Nov. 6 news
release.” Additional concerns HEAL has found regarding Red
River Academy are:
After review on April 1st, 2008
of the FAQ's on Red River Academy's website, we found the following
concerns:
Red flags I see
from their own site:
Q: How long is
the average stay for a student at Red River Academy?
A: The program is based on the student’s results, meaning it depends
on the individual student’s willingness to comply and commit to
working and creating positive results.
[This answer is vague and unacceptable.]
Q: How often are
student visits allowed?
A: Visits to your student are allowed when the teen reaches the
appropriate status and has earned the privilege
*(This is contradictory to the information given inthis previous Q and A):
[Q: Can we visit the School at any time?
A: Yes, you are welcome to come to the facility any time you
schedule a visit. After enrolling your student you can stop by any
time you see fit.]
[Also, you should not need to schedule a visit]
Q: Once I make
the decision to enroll my teen, how do I get them to Red River
Academy?
A: Your admissions representative will assist you through the
different options of getting your child to the school. Each
situation is different. Some students will come voluntarily while
others won't. They will help you determine what is best for your
family.
[All students should attend voluntarily or, if mandated by the
government, should be convicted of a crime and sentenced. The
student should never be forced or held against their will]
Q: Is the family
involved in the student’s progress?
A: A Family Representative is assigned to each student. Your Family
Representative is in contact with your teen throughout the week.
Weekly phone calls are made updating you on your student's progress.
In time, students earn phone calls with their parents. Parents and
students communicate by letter as often as they like. The parents
and students attend workshops to assist in creating better
communication.
[Students should never be forced to earn a phone call to their
parents. There should never be any block of communication between
the student and parent. There is no scientific evidence to support
this action as being beneficial or therapeutic. Cults are known to
use this tactic almost universally]
[Here is a
website where a former “client” of a program suggests that Red River
Academy is affiliated with WWASPS.]:
For
more information on WWASP, visit:
www.heal-online.org/wwasp.htm
If you were abused at Red River Academy, please
contact us and will post your
online statement here as a warning to others. For staff
and background information,
click here.
Teen Challenge Home for Girls
(a.k.a. Grace
Christian Home & Academy for Girls)in Shreveport, LA is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen
Challenge of Acadianain Lafayette, LA is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen Challenge—New Orleansin New Orleans, LA
is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Elan Schoolin Poland, ME is a confirmedly
abusive behavior modification program.
To read survivor statements, see:
www.heal-online.org/elan.htm. If you were abused or had
your rights violated at Elan School, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others. For staff and background information,
click here.
The Hyde School in Bath, ME (also locations
in Woodstock, CT and charter schools all along the Eastern Seaboard)
is highly suspected of being an abusive behavior modification
program. There are multiple message boards claiming that The
Hyde School is unprofessional and cult-like. See:
http://hydestudents.tribe.net/thread/fbf9d98d-2a2c-49cf-99b0-a978a138410f#0b8b5709-6fdd-4412-9070-849cbe3df763.
If you were abused or had your rights violated at The Hyde School,
please contact us and we
will post your statement here as a warning to others. For staff
and background information,
click here.
Ironwoodin Morrill, ME is suspected of being an abusive behavior
modification facility. We base this on the fact that they use
a level system consistent with those used at confirmedly abusive
programs such as Provo Canyon School, WWASPS, and Aspen Education
Group facilities. They recommend parents use "escort services"
which have been denounced by child advocates, parents, and
adolescent psychology experts as being terror-inducing and harmful
to children and teens. This program also denies telephone
communications and unmonitored contact with the outside world,
including family on the lower levels of their program. These
are marked warning signs of abusive facilities. We advise you
do not risk your child's welfare at Ironwood. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Ironwood, Please
contact us and we will post your experience here as a warning to
others. For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen Challenge of Baltimorein Baltimore, MD is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge of Capitol Heightsin Capitol Heights,
MD is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge of Cumberlandin Cumberland, MD is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge of MD, Inc. in Dundalk, (& cities of Laurel,) MD is highly suspected of being a
teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the Drug
Free America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight, Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald
Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
In George W. Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler
as US ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here.
To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
We've received reports of abuse in Massachusetts public schools
including improper use of restraints and physical abuse as a method
of behavior modification. Please visit:
www.heal-online.org/abuseinpublicschools.htm
for more information.
Academy at Swift Riverin Cummington, MA is a confirmedly abusive behavior modification
facility. For survivor
accounts, visit:
www.heal-online.org/swiftriver.htmThey are a member of the Aspen Education Group which includes
Mount Bachelor Academy.
They use the same systems of isolation and sensory deprivation as
well as the “merit” or “level-based” system for behavior
modification that WWASPS and Provo Canyon School, who are confirmed
child abusers, use to break the minds and spirits of the children in
their care.We believe if you compare the warning signs at
www.heal-online.org/warn.htm
as provided by
www.isaccorp.com
(International Survivors Action Committee) that you will discover the
truth about Swift River’s abuse of children.If you were abused at Swift River, please
contact us with your statement so we can post it to the
website as a warning to others.
Thank you. For staff and background information,
click here.
Boston
Teen Challengein Dorchester, MA is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
John Dewey
Academyin Barrington, MA is likely an abusive behavior
modification program.
Below is an article we found about a lawsuit
against John Dewey Academy from August 25th, 1994. The main
premise of the article: A Great Barrington boarding school for
troubled teenagers is being sued by a former student who alleges
officials failed to supervise a female teacher who lured him into a
sexual relationship and had a child by him. Thomas Bratter
founded John Dewey Academy in 1985. Later in this article
it states another incident: "In 1995, Bratter pleaded no contest
in Connecticut to a state charge of second-degree unlawful
restraint, which involved his relationship with a 17-year-old girl.
As part of his plea agreement, he received a suspended one-year
sentence and was required to perform 500 hours of community service
and donate $50,000 to a charity that dealt with victims of crime or
abuse."
http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2004/08/25/former_student_says_academy_left_him_to_teachers_abuse/
If you were abused at or had your rights violated by John Dewey
Academy, please
contact us so we can post your story here as a warning to
others.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge Inc.in Brockton, MA is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Lansing Teen Challengein Lansing, MI is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy. George
W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge—Muskegonin Muskegon, MI is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge—Saginaw in Saginaw, MI is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in
2000.The “New Freedom
Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and pharmaceutical lobbyists
working to insure that every child in America is drugged and
virtually enslaved through behavior modification.Please do not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If
you were abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge,
please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here.
To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Minnesota
Teen Challengein Minneapolis, MN
is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Bethel Baptist Boys Academy
(aka Eagle Point Christian Academy) in Lucedale,
MS is
confirmedly abusing children.
To view a mother’s firsthand account of damages to her son, please
click here.
Also, just reading a quote from their own advertising on Sunday,
Feb. 15th, 2004 suggests they are intolerant and cruel
minded, “Ignorance and stupidity plague so many teens because
they simply will not submit to parents or guardians and receive
instruction.”This is
certainly not a loving, trust-building environment for young people
to explore their frustrations and learn constructive as opposed to
destructive ways to deal with the stresses of their lives.To view the lawsuits currently filed against Bethel Boys
Academy visit:
www.heal-online.org/bethelsuits.pdf.
It’s a place that hates children and wants to aid parents in
creating children who lack the educational skills of curiosity and
analytical thought.We
recommend whole-heartedly that you do not send your child to Bethel
Baptist Boys Academy.
In addition please view this article:
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050531/NEWS01/505310367/1002If you were abused or had your rights violated at Bethel
Baptist Boys Academy, please
contact us and we will post your experience on this
website as an online statement and warning to others about this
program. For staff and background information,
click here.
Gulf Coast Academy in Lucedale, MS is confirmedly abusive.
And, is a World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools
program.Representative George Miller of California demanded in
investigation into all World Wide Association of Specialty Programs
and Schools after receiving hundreds of complaints from his
constituents about the torture and abuse suffered by them and/or
their children.You may read the correspondence between John Ashcroft and George Miller by
visiting:
http://nospank.net/ashcroft.htm.
As of January 9th, 2004, California Representative George Miller
demanded, and was denied by John Ashcroft, an investigation into
WWASPS.According to Representative Miller of California,
“There is a
laundry list of abuse of children at WWASPS schools: deprivation of
food, deprivation of contact with their peers, physical abuse,
mental abuse, sexual abuse, and parents are paying big money for
services not rendered," Miller added in a Nov. 6 news release.”"Barbara
Ramirez of Chicago wants a Lucedale home for troubled youth shut
down because of poor living conditions, student abuse and the
inability of the school's officials to prevent students from
escaping. Ramirez said she began the campaign to shut down the
Gulf Coast Academy after a recent visit to the school where her
daughter, Tianna, 17, is enrolled. Ramirez attended a seminar
at the school but found what she considers intolerable conditions.
"I was appalled," Ramirez said. "The seminar was held in the chapel.
I went into the bathroom and it was filthy. Three roaches were
crawling up the wall. I almost got sick." That was just the
beginning. Her daughter told her stories about poor food,
abusive discipline, student fights and escapes." For more on
this, visit:
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071007/NEWS01/710070315/1002For
more information on WWASP, visit:
www.heal-online.org/wwasp.htm
If you were abused or had your rights violated by Gulf Coast
Academy, please contact us
and we will post your statement here as a warning to others.
For staff and background information,
click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Happiness Hillsin Union, MS is suspected
of being an abusive behavior modification facility. Current
employees and founders of this program previously managed and/or
worked for
Rebekah Home, a confirmedly abusive program. Please do not
risk your child's welfare by sending them to this program. If
you were abused or had your rights violated by Happiness Hills, we
ask that you
contact us with your story
so we can post it here as a warning to others. For staff and
background information,
click here.
Magnolia Christian Center in Lucedale, MS is
highly suspected of being an abusive program. Magnolia is not
an accredited school and is not approved by the state to grant
diplomas. They use physical/corporal punishment on the
children in their program. And, have hired multiple former
employees of the confirmedly abusive
Bethel Boys Academy/Eagle Point Christian Academy. Please
do not subject your child to this program. If you were abused
or had your rights violated at Magnolia Christian Center, please
contact HEAL so we can place your statement here as a warning to
others. For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen Challenge of Mississippi
in Pascagoula, MS
is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Heartland Christian Academy in Newark,
MO is confirmedly abusive. According to the exposé in People
Magazine (10/23/06 issue, "School
of Last Resort" by Maria Eftimiades), children are beaten
regularly, suffer broken bones from staff abuse, and more. The
kids are punished with isolation, beatings, and deprived of food and
contact with peers. They are degraded and forced to do slave
labor for the facility. Heartland is currently being
"investigated by authorities. However, since they are a
"Christian"/faith-based program their cruel and torturous practices
are considered "protected" by the First Amendment Freedom of
Religion. Please do not subject your child to Heartland
Christian Academy. For more information on this program, visit
the following links:
HCA Info 1,
HCA Info 2,
HCA Info 3,
HCA Info 4,
MySpace 1 and
MySpace 2. If you are a survivor or parent of a survivor
if Heartland Christian Academy, please
contact us and we will post your statement, with your
permission, here as a warning to others. For staff and
background information,
click here.
Mid-America Teen Challenge
in Cape Girardeau, MO is highly suspected of being a teen torture
facility.Teen
Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the Drug Free
America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us
and we will post your story here as a warning to others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs,
click here.
To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here. For staff and background information,
click here.
New Beginnings Girls Academy—in La
Russell, MO is confirmedly abusive.
The former owners, Mr. & Mrs. Cameron, have opened and closed their
lockdown residential facilities in TX, MO, and MS before bringing
them to FL in 2001. They have
returned to Missouri. Texas has permanently banned Mrs.
Cameron from working with children or being present at a juvenile
facility.A local TV
station reported in Dec. 2004 that FL state officials had
investigated two allegations of abuse at the school, one for
requiring “extreme physical exertion” of a student and an accusation
that Mrs. Cameron hit a girl with a curtain rod.Soon afterwards the school changed its name to New Beginnings
Girls Academy and the Camerons’ names were removed from its
literature.Like the
Camerons, however, the new director, Bill McNamara, strongly
emphasizes the girls’ sinfulness and prohibits contact with their
siblings, according to the sister of one student.Detailed report provided by
Children’s Healthcare Is a Legal Duty, Inc.
Nov. 4th, 2004 newsletter.If you were abused or had your rights violated at New
Beginnings, please
contact us and
we will post your experience here as a warning to others. To
view survivor statements regarding the Cameron's and these programs
please click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Stepping Stone Farm:inWeaubleau,
Missouri is directly affiliated with
The Twelve Tribes. This program is confirmed abusive and
considered by experts to be a cult. If you were in this program or
would like to contact us please
click here. For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen Challenge of the Ozarksin Reed Springs, MO
is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen Challenge Int’l—Springfieldin Springfield, MO
is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen Challenge of St. Louisin High Ridge, MO is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen Challenge—The Four Statesin Neosho, MO is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Thayer Learning Center
(a.k.a. TLC--Teen Life Skills Center) in
Kidder, MO
is a confirmedly abusive behavior modification program.As of November, 2004 we have confirmation that a teen was
killed in this program.
For the newspaper account of the death and the ongoing investigation
into Thayer Learning Center’s activities visit:
KCTV5 - Teen Dies at School Known for Strict Discipline. A group of families in Missouri are currently working to take legal
action against them.A
quote from one parent (who will remain anonymous for the time being
so as not to create problems in court for them) states, “My son was
abused, and I am in contact with several others who were abused, and
a lawyer who has made complaints to the government agencies there in
MO and still nothing done to stop Thayer.”For a survivor story about the Thayer experience,
click here. Also,
see:
http://www.isaccorp.org/thayerlearningcenter.asp#robertoreyes
and
http://www.closethayerlearningcenter.com/.
Thayer used the term Oppositional Defiant Disorder, which is a
quack term created to describe NORMAL teenage behavior.The American Medical Association is currently requesting that
this term be removed from medical terminology.Teenagers try to test their boundaries as they get closer to
the age of majority in order to establish their senses of
independence and individuality.
This is NORMAL!!!!What
is not normal is calling NORMAL behavior a disorder and using
trauma-based mind control techniques to make good little soldiers
and servants out of human beings.We believe Thayer Learning Center is abusive and believe that
you should not place your child in their care.If you were abused or had your rights violated at Thayer
Learning Center, please
contact us and we will place your online statement on
this website as a warning to others.Thank you! For staff and background information,
click here.
Affinity Foundation located in Proctor, MT
is suspected of being an abusive behavior modification program.A huge red flag is their “Civil Rights Waiver
Acknowledgement” which states that children in their care and the
parents agree to waive their constitutional rights of free speech,
freedom of religion, freedom of association, and privacy rights
while in the program which is contracted to be a mandatory 15 month
stay.Communications will be limited and/or denied for a period of
time up to the foundation staff alone.These are all huge red flags.Do not submit your child to this program.If you had your rights violated, apparently everyone who goes
to Affinity does by the contractual proof alone, or if you were
abused while in their care, please
contact us and we will post your experience as an online
statement against this program.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Anchor Academy--It is located in Vanduser, MO
(formerly in Havre, MT).
Pleasecontact us
if you are a survivor of Anchor Academy and would
like to report abuse or other violations.
HEAL suspects Anchor Academy of being an abusive facility. It is
strange that it has moved from Havre, MT to Vanduser, MO (another
state). This is typically a sign of trouble. And, this
wasn't their first big move. That is a huge red flag.
Another problem is that
older "students"
are placed in charge of younger/newer "students". This is also
a red flag for abuse. For staff and background info,
click here.
Cramer Creek School--in
Missoula, MT. Opened in 2008. John McKay who directs
the program also was involved with Rancho Valmora in New Mexico.
Rancho
Valmora is confirmedly abusive. Cramer Creek uses
"positive peer
culture" (a.k.a. confrontational "therapy") which is ineffective and
harmful. For these reasons, we suspect Cramer Creek School of
being an abusive facility. If you were abused or had your rights
violated at Cramer Creek School,
contact us and we will post your statement here as a warning to
others. For staff and background info,
click here.
Dancing Moon Ranchin Chinook,
MT is heavily suspected of being an abusive behavior modification
program.We’ve received
a message from a woman wishing to remain anonymous for the moment
declaring that she is a survivor of abuse at this facility.Their website is not explicit in program details.We recommend parents never send children out of their home
state and that they monitor any program they send their child to in
person from day one on a weekly basis.If you are a survivor of Dancing Moon Ranch, please
contact us so we may post your experience as an online
statement against this program.
You will help other children by doing so! For staff and
background info,
click here.
Explorations
in Trout Creek, Montana is reportedly, yet to be confirmedly, abusive.
We have received survivor reports of abuse at this facility.
However, we are awaiting confirmation. We believe these
reports of abuse to be true and recommend you do not subject your
child to this program. If you are a survivor of Explorations,
please contact us so we
may post your experiences as an online statement against this
program. You will help others by doing so. For staff and
background,
click here.
Hope Ranch
(a.k.a. Star Meadows Academy)
in Whitefish, MT is suspected of being an abusive behavior
modification facility.
Their number one goal is to get girls to be “obedient”.This means never questioning those who claim authority.This is a very dangerous goal because often authority does need
questioning and no individual should be given complete authority
over another for this denies the principles of free-will and the
right to learn or use analytic thought.
Without analysis we would not have rules, we would not have healing
medicines, we would not have a number of things that are vital to
human understanding and life.
Because of this and many of the other questionable goals and the
disturbing signing away of certain civil liberties within the
contract itself we believe that Hope Ranch is a place with no hope
for your child.Please do not send your child to this institution.If you have been abused at Hope Ranch or had your rights
violated while in their care, please
contact us so we can place your online statement here to
warn others.Thank you.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Monarch School
in Heron, MT
is suspected of being an abusive behavior modification program.This is based on the language of the parent/school contract
which reads: “AUTHORIZATION FOR RESTRAINT-I/We hereby give consent
and authorize the school personnel to utilize reasonable physical
force to restrain, control and detain the above named student for
and including, but not limited to, the following purposes: to
protect the student, protect property, protect Monarch School
personnel or others from physical injury or threat of injury from
the student. AUTHORIZATION FOR SEARCH I/We hereby give consent and
authorize the school to search the student and the student’s
personal effects. The school is hereby authorized to confiscate any
and all items deemed by the school to be contraband. “It is suspect because if a child is not a threat to themselves
or others physical restraint, control, or detainment is wholly
unwarranted and violates international and federal human rights laws
that apply to children as well as adults.In fact, prolonged and unwarranted physical restraint, control,
or detainment is considered torture under the United Nations
definition.Further evidence taken from their contract that we find suspect
is the following: “.I/We hereby voluntarily release and discharge Monarch School
and its officers, directors, shareholders, employees and agents of
any and all claims, demands, actions suits or proceedings which the
student or any parent, relative, or next of kin of the student may
have for any or all injuries, damages and expenses, including but
not limited to all personal injuries and illnesses and all damages
to personal and real property caused by, arising out of, or
otherwise related to the student’s participation in any activity or
program conducted by or on behalf of Monarch School.”They require parents to sign a permission slip that they may
physically harm their child and then require that should they find
the conduct to be malicious on the part of Monarch Schools that they
agree never to sue even if illegal abuse or violations of human
rights are evident.Don’t send your child to this school!If you have attended Monarch School and you were abused while
in their care,
contact us and we will add your statement to this website to
warn others.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Montana Academy in Marion, MT
is suspected of being an abusive behavior modification program.They have disabled their online application so we can’t see
what they require in terms of signing away legal and civil rights
for parents and children.However, based on their description as of 2/16/04 on their
program description under “emotional” they describe a “phase system”
(aka level system) which echoes those used by WWASPS and Provo
Canyon School.They
also talk about group sessions in which the goal is “psychological
development” through revelation.These words are very abstract and ring as echoes of the
descriptions and values of the Resource Realizations/WWASPS model of
trauma-based behavior modification.If you have attended Montana Academy and you were abused or had
your rights violated by Montana Academy while in their care, please
contact us and we will add your online statement to this
website as a warning to others. For staff and background
info,
click here.
Northwest Passagesis run
by the former director of Hope Ranch who proudly claims this
association.Northwest
Passages is an extension of residential treatment center living and
we believe is suspect due to the very reasons Hope Ranch is suspect
(scroll up to see description of Hope Ranch).We recommend you do not attend Northwest Passages and that you
do not submit your child to a lifetime of blind obedience.Without curiosity there are no questions.Without questions there are no answers.Without answers there is no knowledge.Without knowledge there is no wisdom.Do not subject your child to a life without wonder.If you were abused at
Hope Ranch or Northwest Passages, please
contact us and we will post your online statement as a
warning to others on this site and will upgrade Hope Ranch and
Northwest Passages from suspect to confirmed.
For staff and background info,
click here.
(Northwest Passages is not accepting any new "clients" as of July
24th, 2009--possibly closing?)
Turning Winds
in
Troy, MT
is a confirmedly abusive
behavior modification program.
Please click here
for HEAL's expose' on Turning Winds.
Please
click here and read the comments following the article.
Click here for additional discussions regarding abuse at Turning
Winds.
If you were abused at Turning Winds, please
contact us and we will add your statement to this
website.For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen
Challenge of the Midlandsin Omaha, NE is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Center for Change--Located
in Las Vegas, Nevada (and Orem, UT). This program is owned
by UHS, the same syndicate that operates
Provo Canyon School
and many other abusive facilities. We highly suspect Center
for Change to be an abusive facility. If you were abused or
had your rights violated by Center for Change, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others. For staff and background info,
click here.
Coral Reef Academyis listed as being a program in Nevada, and in fact their business
offices are in Las Vegas, NV.
However, the program takes place in Samoa.There have been countless news programs, talk shows
(particularly Montel Williams) and exposés on abusive programs in
Samoa.Please do not
send your child to a program out of the United States.It is best that you are involved in every aspect of your
child’s wellness program.
You should be choosing a program in your own state that you will be
visiting regularly to insure the safety of your child.Don’t be like one mother who sent her son to a Samoa-based
program just to lose him forever.This same mother was in contact with other parents, two of whom
had their children die in the Samoa-based program.If you were abused by Coral Reef Academy or had your rights
violated in anyway, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning
to others.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Focal
Point Academy--Located
in Mesquite, Nevada. Reportedly fraudulent and abusive.
See lawsuit:
Horizon Academyin Nevada
is a WWASPS program.Representative George Miller of California demanded in
investigation into all World Wide Association of Specialty Programs
and Schools after receiving hundreds of complaints from his
constituents about the torture and abuse suffered by them and/or
their children.You may read the correspondence between John Ashcroft and George Miller by
visiting:
http://nospank.net/ashcroft.htm.
As of January 9th, 2004, California Representative George Miller
demanded, and was denied by John Ashcroft, an investigation into
WWASPS.According to Representative Miller of California,
“There is a
laundry list of abuse of children at WWASPS schools: deprivation of
food, deprivation of contact with their peers, physical abuse,
mental abuse, sexual abuse, and parents are paying big money for
services not rendered," Miller added in a Nov. 6 news release.”For more
information on WWASP, visit:
www.heal-online.org/wwasp.htmIf you were abused or had your rights violated at Horizon
Academy, please
contact us and we will post your online statement here as
a warning to others. For staff and background info,
click here.
Northern Nevada Teen Challengein Sparks, NV is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here. For staff and background info,
click here.
Sky View Academy (a.k.a. Sky View Christian
Academy) in Hawthorne, NV is a confirmedly abusive facility. Sky
View Academy had its license revoked by Nevada officials in 2007.
Sky View Academy is a World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools
program.Representative George Miller of California demanded in
investigation into all World Wide Association of Specialty Programs
and Schools after receiving hundreds of complaints from his
constituents about the torture and abuse suffered by them and/or
their children.You may read the correspondence between John Ashcroft and George Miller by
visiting:
http://nospank.net/ashcroft.htm.
As of January 9th, 2004, California Representative George Miller
demanded, and was denied by John Ashcroft, an investigation into
WWASPS.According to Representative Miller of California,
“There is a
laundry list of abuse of children at WWASPS schools: deprivation of
food, deprivation of contact with their peers, physical abuse,
mental abuse, sexual abuse, and parents are paying big money for
services not rendered," Miller added in a Nov. 6 news release.”For more
information on WWASP, visit:
www.heal-online.org/wwasp.htmIf you were abused at Sky View Academy, please
contact us so we can post your online statement here as a
warning to others.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge of Nevada, Inc. in Las Vegas, NV is highly suspected of being a teen torture
facility.Teen
Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the Drug Free
America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight, Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald
Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
In George W. Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler
as US ambassador to Italy.George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in
2000.The “New Freedom
Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and pharmaceutical lobbyists
working to insure that every child in America is drugged and
virtually enslaved through behavior modification.Please do not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If
you were abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge,
please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here.
To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.For staff and background info,
click here.
Becket House at Warren--Located
in New Hampshire. HEAL has received reports of abuse
including degrading, psychologically harmful, verbal abuse and
improper restraint with physical abuse intending to harm
children from former staff at Mount Prospect Academy (another
Becket Family of Services program). We recommend no parent
place a child in a facility who is sister to confirmedly abusive
programs as they likely all use similar methods if operating
under the same leadership. Please
contact uswith any info on this program.
For staff and background info,
click here.
E-Toh-Anee--Located in Stewartstown, NH.
This is an Eckerd Youth Alternatives program. Eckerd
is confirmedly abusive. See:
http://www.isaccorp.org/eckerd/michael-wiltsie.06.29.00.html
For staff and background info,
click here.
If you were abused or had your rights violated at E-Toh-Anee, please
contact us and we will post your statement here as a warning to
others.
Manchester Teen Challengein Manchester, NH is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Mount
Prospect Academy in Plymouth, NH is confirmedly abusive.
It is part of the Becket Family of Services. We have reports from
former staff (in the process of verifying) that it is an abusive
behavior modification facility. Please do not send your children
to Mount Prospect Academy. If you are a victim or witness of abuse
at Mount Prospect Academy or any Becket Family of Services program,
please
contact us and we will post your statement online as a warning to
others. For staff and background info,
click here.
Bancroft NeuroHealth Inc--It
is located in Cherry Hill, NJ.
Bancroft
NeuroHealth has killed before, HEAL
wouldn't trust them. If you were abused or had your rights
violated by Bancroft NeuroHealth, contact us and we will post your
statement here as a warning to others. For staff and
background info,
click here.
Teen
Challenge—New Jersey
in Rockaway, NJ is highly suspected of being a teen torture
facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us
and we will post your story here as a warning to others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs,
click here.
To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen Challenge—Take Charge
in Newark, NJ is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program.
If you were abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge,
please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen
Challenge—Albuquerquelocated in
Albuquerque, NM is highly suspected of being a teen torture
facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Adirondack Leadership Expeditions
in Saranac Lake, NY
is confirmedly abusive. Please visit:
www.heal-online.org/adirondack.htm
for survivor statements a member of the Aspen Education Group,
a leading suspect corporation regarding child torture in the United
States.Based on the
fact that they use a level system and are owned by Aspen Education
Group, we determine that Adirondack is suspect and ought to be
avoided.If you were
abused by Adirondack Leadership Expeditions or they violated your
rights in anyway (if at any time you had your mail read or censored
they violated your civil rights, for example), please
e-mail us and we will post your experience here as a warning to
others. For staff and background information,
click here.
Buffalo Teen Challengein Buffalo, NY is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Camp Huntingtonin High Falls, NY is owned by Aspen Education Group, highly
suspected of being a teen torture organization.Based on the fact that they use a level system and are owned by
Aspen Education Group (confirmed abuse at multiple Aspen Education
Group programs), we determine that Camp Huntington is suspect and
ought to be avoided.If
you were abused by Camp Huntington or they violated your rights in
anyway (if at any time you had your mail read or censored they
violated your civil rights, for example), please
e-mail us and we will post your experience here as a warning to
others. For staff and background information,
click here.
Candlehouse Teen Challenge in Owego, NY is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in
2000.The “New Freedom
Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and pharmaceutical lobbyists
working to insure that every child in America is drugged and
virtually enslaved through behavior modification.Please do not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If
you were abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge,
please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here.
To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Long Island Teen Challengein Long Island, NY
is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen Challenge in Garrison, NY is highly suspected of being a teen torture
facility.Teen
Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the Drug Free
America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight, Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald
Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
In George W. Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler
as US ambassador to Italy.George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in
2000.The “New Freedom
Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and pharmaceutical lobbyists
working to insure that every child in America is drugged and
virtually enslaved through behavior modification.Please do not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If
you were abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge,
please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here.
To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen Challenge, Inc.—Brooklynin Brooklyn, NY is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen Challenge of Rochesterin Rochester, NY is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen Challenge—Syracusein Syracuse, NY is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Academy of the Sierras (a.k.a.
Wellspring Academies/Wellspring Academy) in Brevard, NC
(also in Reedley, CA) is highly suspected of being an abusive
behavior modification facility. It is owned by Aspen Education Group, highly
suspected of being a teen torture organization.Based on the fact that they use a level system and are owned by
Aspen Education Group (confirmed abuse at 4 Aspen Education Group
programs), we determine that Academy of the Sierras is suspect and
ought to be avoided.If
you were abused by Academy of the Sierras or they violated your
rights in anyway (if at any time you had your mail read or censored
they violated your civil rights, for example), please
e-mail us and we will post your experience here as a warning to
others. For staff and background information,
click here.
Auldern Academy--It is located in Siler City, North
Carolina and owned by
Three Springs, Inc., which owns and operates multiple confirmedly
abusive programs. If you were abused or had your rights violated
at Auldern Academy, please
contact us and we will post your report
here as a warning
to others. For staff and background info,
click here.
E-Ma-Etu--Located
in Boomer, NC. This is an Eckerd Youth Alternatives
program. Eckerd is confirmedly abusive. See:
http://www.isaccorp.org/eckerd/michael-wiltsie.06.29.00.html
For staff and background info,
click here.
If you were abused or had your rights violated at E-Ma-Etu, please
contact us and we will post your statement here as a warning to
others.
E-Tik-Etu--Located
in Elizabethtown, NC. This is an Eckerd Youth Alternatives
program. Eckerd is confirmedly abusive. See:
http://www.isaccorp.org/eckerd/michael-wiltsie.06.29.00.html
For staff and background info,
click here.
If you were abused or had
your rights violated at E-Tik-Etu, please
contact us and we will post your statement here as a warning to
others.
Farmer Christian Academyin Farmer, NC
is suspected of being an abusive behavior modification facility.
It has been founded and is operated by Jimmie Clark, former employee
of confirmedly abusive program "New
Beginnings Girls Academy" in Florida. As his training and
experience in this industry was provided by child torturers, we
believe there is good reason to suspect that Farmer Christian
Academy is also abusive. If you were abused or had your rights
violated at Farmer Christian Academy, please
contact us and we will place your statement here as a warning to
others. For staff and background info,
click here.
Four Circles Recovery Center in Asheville, NC
is a member of the Aspen Education Group, a leading suspect
corporation regarding child torture in the United States.Based on the fact that they use a level system and are owned by
Aspen Education Group, we determine that Four Circles Recovery
Center is suspect and ought to be avoided.If you were abused by Four Circles Recovery Center or they
violated your rights in anyway (if at any time you had your mail
read or censored they violated your civil rights, for example),
please
e-mail us and we will post your experience here as a warning to
others. For staff and background info,
click here.
Harbor Oaks Boarding School (a.k.a.
Wolf Creek Academy) in Mars Hill, North Carolina is
suspected of being an abusive program. They have had sexual
and building code violation complaints filed against them.
They are not licensed by the state of North Carolina. And,
they are closely connected to PURE and Sue Scheff. Sue Scheff
has repeatedly made money off of referrals to abusive programs
including Whitmore Academy. And, Scheff's daughter works at
Harbor Oaks. Also see:
http://www.isaccorp.org/documentsam.asp#harboroaks
We recommend you do not send your child to Harbor Oaks Boarding
School. If you've been abused at Harbor Oaks Boarding School,
please e-mail us and we
will post your experience here as a warning to others. For
staff and background information,
click here.
New Leaf
Academy in Hendersonville, NC
is suspected of being an
abusive behavior modification program.It is also an Aspen Education Group program (see
Aspen Achievement Academy) According to one survivor of the
program, “As a former student to have completed all the
required work in sun, moon, and star clan, I want to let the public
know what NLA is really like. I went to Green Ridge for 22 months
and Marci was our headmistress...I did not truly improve emotionally
because the program is a scam...When I graduated, I was utterly
vulnerable to the real world. There is no preparation for being
reintroduced to old friends and possible situations. My fellow
sisters...did not truly get any better. Of course, for parents who
are willing to do anything to help their daughter, make sure she's
placed at the Rock Mesa campus because Green Ridge can be very
emotionally draining and depressing.” This is taken from the review
at
http://www.teenprogram.info/schools/view/622.They also use a level-system similar to those used in WWASPS
programs.Beware! If you were abused at New Leaf Academy,
contact us and we will post your online statement here as
a warning to others.
For staff and background info,
click here.
North Carolina Boysin Pittsboro, NC is a
Three Springs program. Based on multiple survivor
accounts of other Three Springs programs and former employee
(employed at Three Springs of Paint Rock Valley facility)
allegations, we find Duck River Boys to be highly suspect.Due to possible litigation in this issue and in order to
protect our sources, we are not divulging more information at this
time.If you have more
information on Three Springs programs and/or were abused while in
their care, please
contact us.
If you were at their follow up transitional facility and experienced
abuse or further violations of your rights, please contact us.
To read survivor reports visit:
www.heal-online.org/threespgs.htm
For staff and background info,
click here.
Phoenix Outdoor in Asheville/Leicester, NC
is a member of the Aspen Education Group, a leading suspect
corporation regarding child torture in the United States.Based on the fact that they use a level system and are owned by
Aspen Education Group, we determine that Phoenix Outdoor is suspect
and ought to be avoided.If you were abused by Phoenix Outdoor or they violated your
rights in anyway (if at any time you had your mail read or censored
they violated your civil rights, for example), please
e-mail us and we will post your experience here as a warning to
others. For staff and background info,
click here.
Sandhills Teen Challenge
in Southern Pines, NC is highly suspected of being a teen torture
facility.Teen
Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the Drug Free
America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us
and we will post your story here as a warning to others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs,
click here.
To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Stone Mountain Schoolis located in
Black Mountain, North Carolina and is a confirmedly abusive behavior
modification facility, one mother states, “Stone
Mountain Boarding School should be closed too! It is located in
North Carolina. That is where (her son) was when he was mentally
abused and went hungry daily. When he fought back he was sent to
Provo Canyon by his father on the advise of the boarding School
dean. His punishment was brutal.”Stone Mountain School is also a member of the Aspen Education Group, a leading suspect
corporation regarding child torture in the United States.Based on the fact that they use a level system and are owned by
Aspen Education Group, we determine that Stone Mountain School is
suspect and ought to be avoided.If you were abused by Stone Mountain School or they violated
your rights in anyway (if at any time you had your mail read or
censored they violated your civil rights, for example), please
e-mail us and we will post your experience here as a warning to
others. For staff and background info,
click here.
SUWS
Of The Carolinasis located in Old
Fort, North Carolina and is a member of the Aspen Education Group, a
leading suspect corporation regarding child torture in the United
States.We’ve received reports of abuse at multiple Aspen Education
Group programs including New Leaf Academy,
Excel Academy, Stone Mountain School,
and Aspen Achievement Academy.Based on the fact that they use a level system and are owned
by Aspen Education Group, we determine that SUWS is suspect and
ought to be avoided.If
you were abused by SUWS or they violated your rights in anyway (if
at any time you had your mail read or censored they violated your
civil rights, for example), please
e-mail us and we will post your experience here as a warning to
others. For staff and background info,
click here.
Talisman's Southeast Journeysin
Zirconia, NC is a
member of the Aspen Education Group, a leading suspect corporation
regarding child torture in the United States.We’ve received reports of abuse at multiple Aspen Education
Group programs including New Leaf Academy,
Excel Academy, Stone Mountain School,
and Aspen Achievement Academy.Based on the fact that they use a level system and are owned
by Aspen Education Group, we determine that Talisman's Southeast
Journey is suspect and ought to be avoided.
If you were abused by Talisman's or they violated your rights in
anyway (if at any time you had your mail read or censored they
violated your civil rights, for example), please
e-mail us and we will post your experience here as a warning to
others. For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge—Harmonyin Harmony, NC is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Bellefaire Jewish
Children's Bureau--(a.k.a. Monarch Boarding Academy,
Monarch School) in Cleveland/Shaker Heights, OH. This program
is confirmedly fraudulent and abusive. One mother reports,
"He has been neglected physically, mentally/emotionally as well
as abused. This facility even use my son's lost clothes to
bill another facility. They also have lost a second set of
clothing i had bought up to my son at their facility and did not
replaced his clothing with the clothing voucher they received.
They gave my son donated t-shirts that were too small for him
and a few pair of footies that would fit a 7 year old. My son
is 16 and wears adult sizes. I gave it back to the staff when i
found it and i also gave the old "donated" t-shirts back to them
when i bought my son up a THIRD SET OF CLOTHES for the summer.
Im looking for people and attorneys who will help me EXPOSE
these people who abuse and use kids for money, along with their
criminal, illegal activities. The other facility owes me money
for losing THE FIRST SET OF CLOTHES and Bellefaire owes me money
for losing THE SECOND SET OF CLOTHES that i bought up to my son.
I wont be silent about this and i hope to find somebody who is
not afraid to stand with me to EXPOSE the criminal activity
these people do. My son has two sores on his toes, one from
having to walking all the time without any socks on. He has
been forced to wear unseasonable dirty clothes all the time,
until i put my foot down. He has suffered other neglect as
well." If you can help this mother, please
e-mail us
(she wrote us on July 8th, 2009). Thank
you. For staff and background info,
click here.
Foundations for
Living--Located in Mansfield, OH. It's owned and
operated by Universal Health Services (current owner of multiple
abusive behavior modification programs including
Provo Canyon
School.)
Based on the abuse at other UHS owned facilities, we highly suspect
Foundations for Living to be an abusive program. Please
contact us if you were abused or had your rights violated at
Foundations for Living and we will post your statement here as a warning
to others. For staff and background information,
click here.
Teen
Challenge for Girlsin Columbus, OH is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge of Ohioin Milford, (&
cities of Martins Ferry, Perry, Youngstown) OH is highly suspected
of being a teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the Drug
Free America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight, Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald
Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
In George W. Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler
as US ambassador to Italy.George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in
2000.The “New Freedom
Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and pharmaceutical lobbyists
working to insure that every child in America is drugged and
virtually enslaved through behavior modification.There is just so
much wrong with this site-page. Orange (jail-like) clothes at the
cREATION mUSEUM, just what are they being prepared for? Maybe JAIL!http://www.teenchallengecincinnati.org/sucessful_events.htm
Apparently "Teen Challenge Cincinnati"
(Located in Milford Ohio) isn't for teens at all. It states that it
is for males 18 to 35 years old. I wonder what the "teen" in this
teen challenge means? They have a link to "teen challenge
usa", Teen Challenge USA is/was associated with the Semblers,
mentioned below.Please do not sent your
child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused or had your
rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge—Oklahoma
in Tulsa, OK is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us
and we will post your story here as a warning to others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs,
click here.
To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge Sonrise Ranchin Cache, OK
is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
New Lifehouse Teen Challengein Disney, OK is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
The Academy at Sisters
in Bend, OR is suspected of being an abusive behavior modification
facility.According to
their website they use “cognitive restructuring” and “behavior
modification” techniques on their captives.Both of these terms are defined as types of brainwashing.Based on this information and the lack of detail regarding the
structure of their program in general makes Academy at Sisters
highly suspect.We
recommend you do not send your child to this program.If you were abused or had your rights violated by Academy at
Sisters, please
contact us
with your experience so we may post it here as a warning to others.
For staff and background information,
click here.
Bridges
Boys Academyin Bend, OR is
suspected of being an abusive behavior modification facility.According to their website they use a level-based system which
is a known red flag.
They also limit contact with the outside world including parents and
use a peer pressure model to get teens to change.These are all red flags.
Based on this, we believe that they are suspect and recommend you do
not send your child to this “academy”.If you were abused at Bridges Boys Academy, please
contact us
so we can post your experience here as a warning to others.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Catherine Freer Wilderness Program
located in Albany, OR is a confirmedly abusive behavior modification
program.A fifteen year-old
girl was killed in the program in May of 2002.Do not send your child to a program known to be responsible for
the death of other children.
If you were abused in the Catherine Freer Wilderness Program,
contact us and we will post your online statement here as a
warning to others. For the staff list and history,
click here.
Mount Bachelor Academyin
Prineville, OR is confirmedly an abusive behavior modification
program. Please see news
reports
here and here.
They are also a part of the Aspen Education Group which, includes
Academy at Swift River.
They also claim to treat Oppositional Defiance Disorder, a
“disorder” that is currently being eradicated by respected medical
and psychiatric associations for being as poorly assessed as
“hysteria” was during the early part of the 20th century.There is no such thing as Oppositional Defiance Disorder.There is such a thing as normal hormonal fluctuation that
occurs during puberty that causes mood changes.We all went through it and it is a normal part of growing up.Beyond that, Mount Bachelor Academy treats “sexual identity
issues” which often means “curing” people of “homosexuality”.Homosexuality is not a mental disease.It was removed from the category of mental illness by the
American Psychiatric Association in 1973.Mount Bachelor Academy, in our opinion, seeks to brainwash and
brow-beat children into submitting to a conservative autocracy where
their individuality is not respected and their natural curiosities
are exploited and crippled.
If you were abused at Mount Bachelor Academy, please
contact us and we will post your experience here as a
warning to others. For staff and background info,
click here.
New Leaf Academyin Bend, OR
is suspected of being an abusive behavior modification program.It is also an Aspen Education Group program (see
Aspen Achievement Academy) According to one survivor of the
program, “As a former student to have completed all the
required work in sun, moon, and star clan, I want to let the public
know what NLA is really like. I went to Green Ridge for 22 months
and Marci was our headmistress...I did not truly improve emotionally
because the program is a scam...When I graduated, I was utterly
vulnerable to the real world. There is no preparation for being
reintroduced to old friends and possible situations. My fellow
sisters...did not truly get any better. Of course, for parents who
are willing to do anything to help their daughter, make sure she's
placed at the Rock Mesa campus because Green Ridge can be very
emotionally draining and depressing.” This is taken from the review
at
http://www.teenprogram.info/schools/view/622.They also use a level-system similar to those used in WWASPS
programs.Beware! If you were abused at New Leaf Academy,
contact us and we will post your online statement here as
a warning to others.
For staff and background info,
click here.
SageWalk in Redmond, OR is suspected of being an abusive
behavior modification program.
In the advertisements for “Brat Camp” (a new television series on
abc that follows the SageWalk experience of multiple teens) children
are shown carrying backpacks too heavy for their frames.A young man on the commercial states that he can’t breathe
because of the pressure on his developing chest applied by the
physically debilitating backpack.In addition, SageWalk disallows communications between children
and their parents at points in the program.And, the program follows a regimen of levels or “passages” that
are used to reward and/or punish children in the program.On the SageWalk website at
http://www.sagewalk.com/disclaimer.htm
they do a great job of removing any responsibility they have in the
safety and welfare of children in their program.
Please also visit:
We
recommend you do not subject your child to SageWalk.
SageWalk is now owned by Aspen Education Group, an umbrella
corporation that owns multiple programs many of which are
confirmedly abusive. If you were abused or had your
rights violated in any way by Sage Walk, please
contact us and we will post your statement here as a warning to
others. For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challengein Portland, (& cities of Shedd,) OR
is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge Int’lin Tillamook, (and
cities of Lebanon,) OR is highly suspected of being a teen torture
facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
The Academy--(a.k.a.
Coral Island Academy) Bridge,
OR (and Fiji) is confirmedly abusive. The Academy's rules and
codes of conduct are known to be harmful and violative of the civil
rights of children at the facility. Please
click here to
read more about the cult program at The Academy. If you were
defrauded, deceived, or abused by The Academy, please
contact us and we will post your story
here as a
warning to others. For staff and background info,
click here.
The SummitQuest Academy (a.k.a.
Viaquest Behavioral Health)in Allentown,
PA is confirmedly abusive. Johnny Aletriz, 16, was beaten to
death by staff in 2006. To read more on his story visit:
http://nospank.net/aletriz.htm Please don't send your
child to SummitQuest or any program that abuses and kills children.
If you were abused at SummitQuest Academy, please
contact us and we will post your statement here as a warning to
others. For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen
Challenge Center
in Harrisburg, PA is highly suspected of being a teen torture
facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program.
If you were abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge,
please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here. For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge—PAin Philadelphia,
(and cities of Cheswick, Rural Ridge,) PA is highly suspected of
being a teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the Drug
Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge Home for Girlsin Philadelphia, PA
is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program.
If you were abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge,
please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs,
click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge Training Centerin Rehrersburg, PA
is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Carolina Springs Academy
in Due West, South Carolina is a World Wide Association of Specialty
Programs and Schools program.Representative George Miller of California demanded in
investigation into all World Wide Association of Specialty Programs
and Schools after receiving hundreds of complaints from his
constituents about the torture and abuse suffered by them and/or
their children.You may read the correspondence between John Ashcroft and George Miller by
visiting:
http://nospank.net/ashcroft.htm.
As of January 9th, 2004, California Representative George Miller
demanded, and was denied by John Ashcroft, an investigation into
WWASPS.According to Representative Miller of California,
“There is a
laundry list of abuse of children at WWASPS schools: deprivation of
food, deprivation of contact with their peers, physical abuse,
mental abuse, sexual abuse, and parents are paying big money for
services not rendered," Miller added in a Nov. 6 news release.”Another point, the slogan reads, “Teaching respect, honor, and
integrity in the traditions of the Old South.”Would that be the Old South that refused to give the up the
dehumanizing institution of enslaving African Americans and is known
for lynchings, murder, and the most heinous disregard for human and
civil rights?We think
so.At least that’s a
taste of truth in advertising.For more
information on WWASP, visit:
www.heal-online.org/wwasp.htm
If you were abused at Carolina Springs Academy, please
contact us and will post your experience here as a
warning to others.
For staff information and background,
click here.
Cherokee Creek Boys School--Located
in Westminster, South Carolina. HEAL has received a report of fraud and
abuse from two former staff at this program. We are
working on verification. The preliminary report from the
staff states: "...We
had actually both suspected for awhile that the entire school
was based on lies, primarily due to the fact that everything
that happens there is kept as quiet as possible. The
students have almost no privacy in anything they say or do.
Their outgoing and incoming mail is read and regulated (Civil
Rights/Constitutional Violation--Illegal Practices) so that they
can’t say anything damning about Cherokee Creek. Their phone
calls are always scheduled and monitored by the primary
counselor or therapist for the same reason. Also, Cherokee
Creek will hire anyone to watch the students during the day as
long as they have at least an Associate’s degree (it doesn’t
particularly matter what the degree is in), and these people are
called “counselors” to the parents. On third shift, the
students’ needs are taken care of by individuals that only have
to have high school diplomas. There is never a doctor on
campus, but a LPN from 7:30 to 3:00 on the weekdays. On the
weekends, there are no medical personnel at all, and pretty much
anyone is allowed to disperse medications (which almost all of
the students are on). There are many other questionable
practices at Cherokee Creek that I’m aware of, especially
pertaining to the psychological well-being of the students. I
actually thought when I was hired that my job was to ensure the
students were taken care of both psychologically and
physically, but the closer I got to the students and the more
they liked me and talked to me, the more it seemed the “powers
that be” wanted me gone. I’ll put it this way, when I stopped
following what the people over me said and began questioning now
some of my co-workers were dealing with the students…well, I
didn’t last long after that..."
For staff and background info,
click here.
If you were abused or had your rights violated at Cherokee Creek Boys
School,
contact us and we will post your statement here as a warning to
others.
Teen
Challenge of South Carolinain Georgetown, SC is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen
Challenge of the Dakotas in Brookings, SD is highly suspected of being a teen torture
facility.Teen
Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the Drug Free
America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight, Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald
Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
In George W. Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler
as US ambassador to Italy.George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in
2000.The “New Freedom
Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and pharmaceutical lobbyists
working to insure that every child in America is drugged and
virtually enslaved through behavior modification.Please do not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If
you were abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge,
please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here.
To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here. For staff and background info,
click here.
ABM
Family Preparatory in Tennessee is suspected of being an abusive behavior modification
facility.Any contract
that requires parents to sign over guardianship to the program, and
asks that the parents sign that they will not hold the school liable
for loss or injury to the child is suspect and meets by those
standards alone the grave warning signs of abusive programs.They also require parents to sign over power of attorney.This is another red flag that suggests they are taking every
step to avoid prosecution or lawsuits in advance of accepting the
child into their “care”.
They also require that parents sign away there rights to sue and
take on full responsibility of all that occurs at ABM even if ABM
staff have been neglectful or abusive in their handling of the
child.They also follow a “level system” similar to that modeled in
the WWASPS/Resource Realizations and Provo Canyon School models.We believe that all of these factors suggest that ABM is an
abusive facility.If
you were abused by ABM Family Preparatory, please
contact us and we will add your online statement to this
website as a warning to others. For staff and background info,
click here.
Bethel Bible Village
Children's Home--in
Hixson, TN. HEAL finds this program suspect because of the
contradictions in their stated goals. They claim children placed
in this facility do not need to accept Christianity and yet their 5 key
goals, the top goal, being to accept Christ as the child's personal
savior. Another red flag is that they claim it is "temporary"
which implies short-term (less than 1 month), yet, they require at least
a 9-12 month enrollment in the residential program. Please
contact uswith any info on this program.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Chad Youth Enhancement Center--(a.k.a.
Oak Plains Academy) in Ashland City, TN
is confirmedly abusive. For articles on the multiple deaths at
this facility, click here.
This program is operated by UHS. UHS also operates other
notoriously abusive programs such as
Provo Canyon School in
Utah. Multiple deaths at
this facility. For staff and background info,
click here. If
you were abused or had your rights violated at Oak Plains Academy/Chad
Youth Enhancement Center, please
contact us and we will post your statement here as a warning to
others.
Freedom Mountain Academy--Located in Mountain City,
TN. The owners moved and renamed their
program from Academy of the Rockies in Idaho. They sold that site
to the confirmedly abusive
CEDU cult. For staff and background info, click here.
If you were abused or had your rights violated at Academy of the Rockies
(not RMA) or Freedom Mountain Academy, please
contact us and we will post your statement here as a warning to
others.
Jackson Academy (a.k.a.
Bilandy Academy) in Dickson County, TN is a
confirmedly abusive program. To read a full report of abuse
allegations visit:
http://www.newschannel5.com/content/news/12599.asp
According to this report, Connie Frost's grandson is being beaten by
staff at the academy. If you were abused by Jackson Academy,
please contact us and we
will post your statement here as a warning to others.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Peninsula Behavioral Health
in Louisville, Tennessee is confirmedly abusive.According to one survivor, they break federal laws by
monitoring and censoring the mail of their “patients”.They do not allow any reading materials outside of the
classroom.They use
physical force to intimidate and control patients.To read more about the horrible experiences survived at
Peninsula Behavioral Health,
click here. For staff and background info,
click here.
Peninsula Villagein Louisville, Tennessee is confirmedly an abusive behavior
modification facility.
They are part of the Peninsula Behavioral Health family of services
and we have firsthand accounts of abuse at Peninsula facilities.Please click
here for a report on the abuse at Peninsula.
Also see the
Peninsula Village Survivors' Blog.
They describe a 6-8 week orientation period or initial “level
or phase” of brutal peer pressure used to effect change in your
child.Taken from their
website, linked to the opening title of this description as of
2/17/04, reads:
Treatment begins in the locked Admissions Unit. This initial period
of treatment typically lasts six to eight weeks and is an extremely
intense therapeutic experience. The Admissions Unit is unlike most
other locked unit programs and is specially designed to address
resistance and introduce patients to our group-oriented treatment
approach, which uses peer pressure to create positive change.”Welcome to trauma-based behavior modification 101.Don’t send your child to this program.If you were abused at Peninsula Village or had your rights
violated in any way, please
contact us and we will post your personal statement here
as a warning to others.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge—Chattanooga
in Chattanooga, TN
is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge—Cookeville
in Cookeville, TN
is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge Int’l—Hendersonville
in Hendersonville, TN
is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000. The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge—Knoxvillein Knoxville, TN is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge Lifeline Crisisin Savannah, TN is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge—Memphis
in Memphis, TN is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge—Nashvillein Nashville, TN is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Austin
Sendero Eating Disorder--Located
in Granger (near Austin), Texas. This is an CRC Health/Aspen
Education Group affiliated program. If you have been
abused or had your rights violated by Austin Sendero, please
contact us and we
will post your statement here as a warning to others. Its
accreditation comes from
JCAHO and
CARF, neither of which do any type of inspection or
investigation regarding child abuse allegations or methods of
"treatment". For staff and background info,
click here.
Corpus Christi State School--Located in Corpus
Christi, TX. Many allegations of abuse at this program.
See:
http://www.kristv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7032431&nav=menu192_2_7
"Eleven staff members were
identified in the videos. Six were charged. The videos showed that
residents were forced to fight each other for the staff’s entertainment.
Residents locked each other in choke holds, tumbled to the floor and
were kicked and prodded by school employees."--Associated Press,
August 10th, 2009
For more on this story, click here.
If you were abused or had your rights violated at Corpus Christi State
School, please
contact us and we will post your statement here as a warning to
others. For staff and background info,
click here.
Dallas Teen Challenge Ranchin Winnsboro, Texas
is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here. For staff and background info,
click here.
Delta Boot Campin Katy, TX is confirmedly abusive.
According to reports they are guilty of:
1) Tacit approval of violent hazing against a new arrival resulting
in his injury
2) Shouting commands and insults at a ward so that the ward's face
is sprayed with the instructor's saliva
3) Goading and taunting a ward with the apparent intention of
provoking a reaction
4) Holding a ward in solitary confinement in bare, cramped
quarters for 72 hours
5) Holding a ward incommunicado for an indeterminate period
If you were abused or had your rights violated at Delta Boot Camp,
please
contact us so we can post
your statement here as a warning to others. To read more on
Delta, please visit:
www.nospank.net/martell.htm#dekim For staff and background
info, click here.
The High Frontier Schoolin Fort Davis, TX is highly
suspected of being an abusive behavior modification program.
According to family reports, the program matches multiple warning
signs including: denial of access to a phone, denial of
unmonitored/uncensored mail and telephone privileges,
confrontational "therapy" in the form of "Positive Peer Culture", a
euphemism for "blame and shame" tactics associated with the
confrontational model, denial of in-person visits with parents
without staff "approval", and more. Please do not send your
child to the High Frontier School. If you were abused at High
Frontier or had your rights violated in anyway (monitoring/censoring
mail is a Constitutional Violation of your rights), please
contact us so we can post your statement here as a warning to
others. For staff and background info,
click here.
Meridell Achievement Centerin Liberty Hill, TX is suspected of being an abusive behavior
modification program.
They are owned and operated under Universal Health Services, the
owners of the confirmedly abusive Provo Canyon School program in
Provo, UT.We recommend heartily that you do not place your child in any
Universal Health Services program.If you were abused at Meridell Achievement Center, please
contact us and we will post your online statement here as
a warning to others. For staff and background info,
click here.
Resolution Ranch: in Cameron, Texas is highly suspected
to be a teen torture program. This program is structured in the same
manner as Straight Inc., which has been classified as a cult
by leading experts including Rick Ross, Steve Hassan, and
FACTNet.org. Despite it's closure in the early 90's, amid
lawsuits and allegations of brainwashing and abuse, Straight Inc.
was considered to be the most successful drug rehabilitation program
in the United States for many years. It was later revealed to be
one of the country's most abusive and psychologically damaging
troubled teen programs. If you have information about
Resolution Ranch and/or were abused by this program, please
contact us. For staff and background info,
click here.
Star Ranch in Ingram, TX is confirmedly abusive. A
child has been suffocated by staff. Please do not send your
child to Star Ranch. If you have been abused or have had your
rights violated in any way by Star Ranch, please
contact us and we will post your statement here as a warning to
others. For more information on this story, please visit:
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA120805.01B.kerr_death.17c14ef5.html
For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge—El Pasoin El Paso, TX is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge Int’lin San Antonio, TX
is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge—Texasin San Antonio, (and
cities of Dallas, Houston, Midland,) TX is highly suspected of being
a teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the Drug
Free America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight, Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald
Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
In George W. Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler
as US ambassador to Italy.George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in
2000.The “New Freedom
Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and pharmaceutical lobbyists
working to insure that every child in America is drugged and
virtually enslaved through behavior modification.Please do not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If
you were abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge,
please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge Women Over 18 in Fort Worth, TX is highly suspected of being a teen torture
facility.Teen
Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the Drug Free
America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight, Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald
Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
In George W. Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler
as US ambassador to Italy.George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in
2000.The “New Freedom
Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and pharmaceutical lobbyists
working to insure that every child in America is drugged and
virtually enslaved through behavior modification.Please do not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If
you were abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge,
please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here.
To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.For staff and background info,
click here.
Special Note:If you
were abused in a Utah-based behavior modification program you have
up to four years to file a lawsuit against them.The ACLU of UT lawyer referral page is at
http://www.acluutah.org/rights.htm.However, successful lawsuits have been filed by injured
persons suing in their state of residence, meaning Texas in most of
the winning cases.
Since most of these programs do interstate and international
commerce the case need not be filed in Utah.
Find a local lawyer and tell them what happened to you or go to
www.aclu.org
and find your current state of residence.Contact the local ACLU for your state and get help from them.These programs violate federal and national human rights and
constitutional laws.
You have the right to seek redress.
Do it for yourself and for those who are still being abused in these
programs.It’s your right and your responsibility!Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
There are over 1000 known behavior modification programs in UT.Being that there are so many and the state of UT does not
properly regulate these programs we recommend that you do not send
your child to any program in the state of UT whether listed here or
not.This is a working
list and programs are added as reports come in and as information on
the programs are located.
Beware of Utah!
It's important for you to know
that Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT) was a key factor in striking out
important regulations from HR 6358 (2008), making it completely
worthless in the charge to protect children and families from fraud
and abuse. Please, do not send your child to Utah.
Academy at Cedar Mountain (a.k.a. Mountain Springs
Preparatory Academy)
located in Cedar City, UT is confirmedly an abusive behavior
modification program.They
use the same language as WWASPS/Resource Realizations and use a similar
phase/level system to those used in WWASPS programs and at Provo Canyon
School.Listed among
previous diseases on the application form are: piercings, tattoos, and
birthmarks.It is amazing
to us that listed among diseases would be birthmarks, tattoos, or
piercings.None of those
three are medical or psychological diseases.They are identifying physical characteristics.View family reports
of abuse at Academy at Cedar Mountain.
If you were abused at Academy at Cedar Mountain, please
contact us and we will post your online statement here as a
warning to others. For staff and background info,
click here.
AspenAchievement Academylocated in Utah is a confirmedly abusive program.To read survivor statement(s)
click here.The use
of the words intensive in describing the “mouse phase” of this four
level system and the fact that the duration is 48 hours.The descriptions on the site suggest forced fasting as well as
constant verbal and possibly physical attacks during this time.Based on this and the fact that they are owned and operated by
Aspen Education Group, a known suspect in the child torture
industry, suggests they are to be avoided.If you had your rights violated by Aspen Achievement Academy,
please
e-mail us so we can post your experience here as a warning to
others.
For staff and background info,
click here. Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
Aspen Ranchin Loa, UT is a
confirmedly abusive program.
They use a 6-tiered level system similar to those used by Provo
Canyon School and the WWASPS programs.
It is our recommendation that unless you live in UT and can monitor
your child’s welfare on at least a weekly basis in person, that you
avoid all Utah-based programs.
If you'd like to read firsthand accounts of abuse at Aspen Ranch,
please click
here. If you were abused or had your rights
violated by Aspen Ranch, please
contact us and we will post your experience here as a
warning to others.
For staff and background info,
click here. Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
Aspiro
Wilderness Program--(a.k.a. Vantage Point, Kairos Young
Adult Wilderness Program) It
is located in Riverton, Utah. HEAL recommends no parent subject any
child to any program in Utah as Utah is corrupt and refuses to
regulate or take action against confirmedly abusive programs
such as WWASPS, Provo Canyon School, Sorenson's Ranch, etc...
Don't send your kid to UT! If you were abused or had your rights
violated by Aspiro, please
contact us and we will post your experience here as a warning to
others. For staff and background info,
click here.
For additional information,
click here. Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
Avalon Hills Residential Eating Disorders Treatment--It
is located in Petersboro, Utah. This program uses a five
level system for behavior modification. The level systems used in
these programs are often a system of degradation, abuse, and leadership
through spying, lying, and betrayal. Please
click here for
a detailed account of what a level system is and how it is used in the
behavior modification "process". For staff and background info,
click here. If
you were abused or had yoru rights violated at Avalon, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others. Click here for
vital information you should know about programs in Utah!
Birdseye Boys Ranch--Located in
Spanish Fork, Utah, owned by
Heritage Youth Services. Birdseye uses polygraph machines
just like Provo Canyon School
in the beginning. We highly suspect this program of being abusive
given their claims to treat "sexual problems" and the basis of such
treatment is to establish a "new perspective on identity" (nice way of
describing coercive thought reform/brainwashing.)
For staff and background info,
click here.
If you were abused or had your rights violated at Birdseye, please
contact us so we can post your story here as a warning to others. Click here for
vital information you should know about programs in Utah!
Cinnamon Hills Youth Crisis Center
is located in St. George, UT, the city in which, WWASPS and other
teen torturers call home.
Cinnamon Hills Youth Crisis Center is confirmedly an abusive
behavior modification program.
For personal accounts of abuse at this facility,
click here.
They claim to use the “eyeball supervision” approach to therapy in
which your child is scrutinized and monitored 24/7 for any movement,
sound, or sigh that they can arbitrarily label as rebellious or not
in line with the program at which point they can tackle your teen,
drug them, and put them in an isolation chamber until they
arbitrarily decide that the child has suffered enough and is ready
to rejoin the group.
They monitor all communications between parent and child and are in
complete control of when parents and children are allowed to
communicate with one another.If you were abused at Cinnamon Hills Youth Crisis Center,
contact us and we will add your online statement here as
a warning to others. For
staff and background info,
click here. Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
Cottonwood Youth Academy (a.k.a.
Cottonwood Treatment Center) in Salt Lake City, UT is
suspected of being an abusive facility. There has recently
been a riot at the facility similar to the one's that brought public
attention to the torture and abuse at Casa by the Sea, Dundee Ranch,
Academy at Ivy Ridge, and Bethel Boys Academy to name a few.
We recommend you do not place your child at Cottonwood Youth
Academy. If you were a victim of Cottonwood Youth Academy,
please contact us and we'll post your experience here as a warning
to others. To view the article exposing the riot and
investigation into Cottonwood, visit:
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=117565 For staff
and background info,
click here. Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
Discovery Academy
is located in Provo, UT and is a confirmedly abusive behavior
modification program.DO NOT send your child to Discovery Academy.If your child is CURRENTLY AT DISCOVERY ACADEMY, BRING THEM
HOME NOW!!!According
to survivor reports
Discovery Academy uses punitive and abusive methods and employs
former Provo Canyon School staff.
Also, a family is currently suing Discovery Academy stating that their
son was gang raped with a broom at this facility. (For more on this
story, visit:
www.heal-online.org/news.htm)
If you have been abused at Discovery Academy, please
contact us and we will add your online statement
here.To visit a web-forum for Discovery Academy survivors, please
visit:
http://www.discovery-academy-forum.com/
Also, to learn more about the type of people associated with
Discovery Academy, specifically former employee Eugene Thorne,
visit:
http://home.earthlink.net/~lgbtmormons/abom.html For staff
and background info,
click here. Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
Cross Creek Programslocated in Utah
is another World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools
program.Representative George Miller of California demanded in
investigation into all World Wide Association of Specialty Programs
and Schools after receiving hundreds of complaints from his
constituents about the torture and abuse suffered by them and/or
their children.YYou may read the correspondence between John Ashcroft and George Miller by
visiting:
http://nospank.net/ashcroft.htm.
As of January 9th, 2004, California Representative George Miller
demanded, and was denied by John Ashcroft, an investigation into
WWASPS.According to Representative Miller of California,
“There is a
laundry list of abuse of children at WWASPS schools: deprivation of
food, deprivation of contact with their peers, physical abuse,
mental abuse, sexual abuse, and parents are paying big money for
services not rendered," Miller added in a Nov. 6 news release.”For more statements regarding Cross Creek programs, read below
or
click here.
“I
recently picked my son up from this program after they wanted to
send him to one of their affiliate programs out of the country. The
tactics they use are dangerous, my son attempted suicide while there
and no one even bother to let his parents know. The official
diagnosis from this school was that my kid was a "spoiled brat". He
is actually Bipolar and we were seeking a therapeutic school that
would help him deal with his problems in a positive manner. I was
shocked to learn that the parent reference list is made up of
parents who will say anything to get a month of free tuition. Follow
the money trail, they also give misleading information about your
child's progress so that they will stay longer...more tuition $ for
them I guess. My son is now in an amazing school, has not had a
single incident of bad behavior, I speak to him weekly and things
are looking up...no thanks to Cross Creek. If you have or are
considering this school LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP!!! If your child is
already there insist on speaking to your child. I have already
reported them to Utah child services. Oh by the way my husband and I
are health care professionals...we hope anyone reading this will
learn from our mistake.” For staff and background info,
click here. Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
Diamond Ranch Academy
is located in Hurricane, UT and is confirmedly an abusive behavior
modification program.
To read online survivor statements visit:
www.heal-online.org/diamond.htmor http://groups.myspace.com/DRA.They use a level system of reward and punishment and hold
mock-trials and provide mock-imprisonment for children with
“attitude, behavioral, or personality disorders.”
They use irrational tactics such as fear and abuse of power to
convince children to act “appropriately” in any given social or
family situation.It is
a very dangerous game these people are playing.The drugs that are prescribed for ADHD cause violent psychotic
behavior in 6% of the children taking them.Before submitting your child to torture, perhaps a healthy
family environment, proper diet, and family therapy are in order.Diamond Ranch claims to treat Oppositional Defiance Disorder.ODD is a “quack” term and is currently being given the same
respect that “hysteria” received once rational minds investigated
the problem.ODD is
currently being challenged by members of the American Medical
Association and American Psychiatric Association as being a false
diagnosis for any teen.
If you were abused or had your rights violated at Diamond Ranch
Academy, please
contact us and we will share your story here as a warning
to others. For staff and background info,
click here. Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
Discovery
Ranch--It
is located in Utah. HEAL recommends no parent subject any
child to any program in Utah as Utah is corrupt and refuses to
regulate or take action against confirmedly abusive programs
such as WWASPS, Provo Canyon School, Sorenson's Ranch, etc...
Don't send your kid to UT! This program is affiliated with
confirmedly abusive Discovery Academy,
RedCliff Ascent,
as well as the suspected Medicine Wheel and Oxbow Academy programs.
For staff and background info,
click here.
If you were abused or had your rights violated at Discovery Ranch,
please
contact us and we will post your statement here as a warning to
others. Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
Eagle
Ranch Academy, Inc.--Located
in St. George, UT. The belly of the beast that is abusive
behavior modification.
Eagle Ranch Academy is confirmedly abusive. For firsthand
accounts of fraud and abuse,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
For audio of current (December, 2009) accounts of abuse at Eagle
Ranch Academy,
click here. If you were abused or had your rights violated at Eagle Ranch Academy,
please
contact us and we will share your story
here as a warning to
others. Click here for
vital information you should know about programs in Utah!
Eagle Valley Youth Ranch, Inc.--Located
in Tropic, UT. Eagle Valley Youth Ranch, Inc. uses a
level system. There is no "therapy" or privileges until a teen
finishes the orientation phase. This program uses a level system.
It also denies direct contact between parent and young adult without
staff involvement. If the young adult needs to speak with his/her
family privately, this will be denied by the program. These are
major red flags. This program is affiliated with confirmedly
abusive Sorenson's
Ranch School. If you were abused or had your rights violated
by Eagle Valley Youth Ranch, Inc./Eagle Valley Ranch, please
contact us and we will post your statement here as a warning to
others. For staff and background info,
click here. Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
Heritage House (aka The Heritage Schools)is located in
Provo, UT and a confirmedly abusive behavior modification program.
HEAL downloaded the Heritage House
admissions forms. Things they consider to be extreme
behavioral problems in need of immediate intervention include:
"cursing, challenging authority, homosexuality--but, they call it
"sexual identity distress", sad/unhappy, argues, noncompliant,
impulsive, overreacts, secretive (shows a need for privacy),
stubborn, does not accept criticism, etc." These are all
normal parts of growing up, establishing independence, and growing
into one's own individuality/self. Heritage House uses
physical restraints. In the contract, Heritage House explains
that they control teen's contact with outside world including
telephone privileges and monitoring incoming and outgoing mail (this
is a civil rights violation, it violates the 4th, 8th, and 14th,
amendments according to the Federal Court who has placed
federal injunctions against this practice at other programs.)
In the contract, "You have the right to refuse to participate in any
research project". This is the parent's right, but, it does
not apply to the teen. It suggests, and HEAL has other
paperwork that confirms, that many of these programs are
experimenting on the youth in them. Heritage House also uses
"seclusion" as a punishment/disciplinary tool. Seclusion is
solitary confinement and in many programs can last for months and
permanently disable the child/teen mentally. Heritage House
identifies their inmates by number, not name, like Provo Canyon
School and like Nazi Germany. We recommend you do not subject
your child to Heritage House.
Click here to read
firsthand reports of abuse. If you were abused or
had your rights violated at Heritage House, please
contact us and we will share your story here as a warning to
others. For staff and background info,
click here. Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
High Top Ranch
is owned and operated by the same people as Sorenson’s Ranch School,
a confirmedly abusive program that employs at least one known felon who
was convicted of sexual assault of a minor.Unless you think it is good to place your child in the care of
known sex offenders, you should definitely just say no to High Top
and any Sorensen/Sorenson outfit.
If you were abused while in the care of High Top Ranch, please
contact us and we will post your experience here as a
warning to others.You
have up to four years to file lawsuits of this nature in the state
of Utah.Let us know if we can help you in any way! For staff
and background info,
click here. Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
Integrity Houselocated in Cedar City, UT is suspected of being an
abusive behavior modification facility.There are many red flags raised when reading their description
of their program.They
use a phase system as well as physical restraints.They limit communications between parents and children and
isolate the children from family and friends.These are all huge red flags.Do not send your child to Integrity House.If you were abused at Integrity House, please
contact us and we will add your online statement to this
website as a warning to others.
For staff and background info,
click here. Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
Island View located
in Syracuse, UT is a confirmedly abusive behavior modification
facility.According to
survivor reports on this program, “I was in Island View UT, a locked facility.And there were restraints, seclusions, they kept us out of
school for 2 weeks because of "dropping names" "gossiping" about
other 'residents" One instance my friend Raychel was on her bed
during study hall, they yelled at her to sit at her desk and she
said her back hurt, they told her she must sit at her desk. And
they picked her up immediately did a restraint and she was escorted
to a seclusion room. Their justification for this was "she was in
danger to herself".”-Sarah B.If you were abused or had your rights violated at Island View,
please
contact us so we may post your experience here as a warning to
others.
For staff and background info,
click here. Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
Liahona Academy-in Southern Utah is a suspectedly abusive behavior
modification facility.
We have reason to believe it is an associate of WWASPS and is a
program within the
Cross Creek program.After filling out the online assessment, available by clicking
on the Liahona underlined title above, and choosing what most people
understand are normal teenage behaviors caused by hormonal
fluctuations that occur during puberty/adolescence we received a
“Severe Danger” rating and were advised to call immediately to hear
the sales pitch.Choose
whatever on the list you think add up to normal teen behaviors and
see what rating you get.I bet you’ll be shocked.Based on their inability and bizarre manner of assessment, no
interview with the child is warranted nor any real evaluations
before they advise a residential facility be the next step, we
believe Liahona is suspect and best to be avoided.If you were abused at Liahona Academy or had your rights
violated in anyway, please
contact us and we will add your online statement to this
website as a warning to others.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Logan River Academy in Logan, UT is reportedly abusive.
Reports state that Logan River uses similar methods of those used at
WWASPS and Provo Canyon School. Also,
Logan River
is run by Robert Crist who also founded notoriously abusive Provo
Canyon School. Logan River also employs both former
Provo Canyon
School (Robert Crist),
Aspen
Education Group (Larry Carter), and
WWASPS (Mark
Peterson) employees. Please do not send your child to Logan
River Academy. If you were abused at Logan River Academy or had
your rights violated in anyway, please
contact us and we will add your online statement to this
website as a warning to others. For staff and background info,
click here. Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
Majestic Ranch located in Utah
is another World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools
program.Majestic Ranch is currently being sued for torturing a child.View the news report by visiting:
http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_2679149Representative George Miller of California demanded in investigation
into all World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools
after receiving hundreds of complaints from his constituents about
the torture and abuse suffered by them and/or their children.There is an online article detailing the allegations of abuse
at You may read the correspondence
between John Ashcroft and George Miller by visiting:
http://nospank.net/ashcroft.htm.
As of January 9th, 2004, California Representative George Miller
demanded, and was denied by John Ashcroft, an investigation into
WWASPS.According to Representative Miller of California,
“There is a
laundry list of abuse of children at WWASPS schools: deprivation of
food, deprivation of contact with their peers, physical abuse,
mental abuse, sexual abuse, and parents are paying big money for
services not rendered," Miller added in a Nov. 6 news release.”
If you were abused or had your rights violated by Majestic Ranch,
please contact us and we
will post your experiences here as a warning to others.
For staff and background info,
click here. Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
New Haven Residential Treatment Centeris located in
Provo, UT and is highly suspected of being an abusive behavior
modification program.
They use a level system (the rules of the program could formerly be
viewed by clicking on the underlined title as of 3/19/04) which is
custom in abusive behavior modification programs.They also claim that Oppositional Defiance Disorder is
something they treat at their facility.Oppositional Defiance Disorder is currently being removed from
the American Medical Association and American Psychiatric
Association terminology resources because qualified, respected
doctors in the fields of medicine and psychiatry have decided it is
a fallacious “disease” founded on the same nonsense as hysteria
(once defined as a woman’s disease caused by hormonal imbalance and
no longer accepted or respected).
Another red flag for this program is the description of the
orientation/level 1/Safety level of their program.They claim on level one that the student is not trusted at all
and that she is watched 24 hours a day, even while going to the
bathroom and showering.
Many of these young women have been raped or abused and watching
them in vulnerable positions such as sleeping, bathing, and going to
the bathroom can spark post-traumatic stress in them.Such treatment is counter-productive to true therapy and this
program from the onset violates the rights of the students involved.We highly recommend you do not send your child to this
institution.If you
have been abused or had your rights violated by New Haven, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning
to others.
For staff and background info,
click here. Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
Passages to Recovery in Loa, UT and is suspected of being an abusive behavior
modification program.
It is an Aspen Education Group program.We’ve received reports of abuse at multiple Aspen Education
Group programs including New Leaf Academy,
Excel Academy, Stone Mountain School,
and Aspen Achievement Academy.
Based on the fact that they use a level system and are owned by
Aspen Education Group, we determine that Passages to Recovery is
suspect and ought to be avoided.
If you were abused by Passages to Recovery or they violated your
rights in anyway (if at any time you had your mail read or censored
they violated your civil rights, for example), please
e-mail us and we will post your experience here as a warning to
others.
For staff and background info,
click here. Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
Pine Ridge Academy(a.k.a.
YouthCare) in Draper,
UT is owned and operated by Aspen Education Group.AEG owns Stone Mountain School, a confirmedly abusive
program.They use a
level system similar to WWASPS and Provo Canyon School and are
breaking federal laws by censoring/monitoring the mail of children
in their program.We
believe that this program is highly suspect based on this evidence
and highly recommend you do not send your child to this program.If you were abused at Pine Ridge Academy, please
contact us and we will
post your experience here as a warning to others.For staff and
background info,
click here. Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
Red Cliffs Ascent Wilderness Program
(a.k.a. RedCliff Ascent)
located in Utah is a confirmedly abusive behavior modification
program.According to
one woman’s online statement regarding the treatment of her nieces,
“And, very importantly, there were no professional therapists
helping these kids at all because the kids are sent straight into
walking in the desert after the first day of survival in the desert
training! Who accompanies the kids is another kid, often a graduate
of Redcliff, who may also have been sent to a reform school and may
be doing this 'service' as some kind of volunteer credit for college
or to try and please the parent who sent them to Redcliff in the
first place. So here are damaged kids, in pain, in shock about
having been kidnapped, now marching 10 hours a day in the desert
with 55 pound backpacks with no guidance. I don't think this helps
anybody and it most definitely hurt my nieces.”For a complete look at an online complaint against Red Cliffs,
visit:
http://www.sociopranos.com/forums/thread-post.asp?Action=Edit&MessageID=1997&forumid=8&threadid=225.If you were abused at Red Cliffs Ascent or had your rights
violated in anyway, please send us your online statement to add here
as a warning to others.
Submit statements to:
heal@heal-online.org.
For staff and background info,
click here. Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
Red Rock Canyon School
in St. George, UT is an abusive behavior modification program.“A
$6 million wrongful-death lawsuit, (was) filed in U.S. District
Court
by parents of the teenage girl, Katherine Lank, who fell into a
deep crevice while hiking. It was filed against the
Red Rock Canyon School, St. George, Utah, on May 28,
2002. The suit, accuses the school of negligence and breach of
contract, asks for $5 million in compensatory damages, and $1
million in punitive damages and attorney fees. The Lanks have also
demanded a jury trial.”
Further information about this is in the article by Michael Vigh of
the Salt Lake Tribune. And,
there is a new lawsuit against Red Rock, filed January 28, 2008.
See the complaint
here. If you were abused by Red Rock Canyon School,
contact us and we will post your online statement here as
a warning to others. For staff and background info,
click here. Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
Second
Nature Wilderness Campin Duchesne, UT (additional
locations in Santa Clara, UT, Clayton, GA, and Bend, OR) is
suspected of being an abusive behavior modification program.
They consider Oppositional Defiance Disorder an actual disorder when
in reality it is not.
During puberty teenagers’ hormones fluctuate creating moodiness and
struggles.This is normal.
Labeling normal teen behavior a disorder is damaging to teens and
their families.Beyond
this, we find certain passages in the program contract disturbing.You can read the full contract by clicking on the title link
(as of 3/19/04).One
thing they ask is a detailed description of all of the child’s
fears.What possible
purpose could they have for this?We suspect they ask this information so they can use your
child’s fears against them in order to terrify them to the point of
submitting to any order in order to avoid further terror.The signature line for parents is the most telling it reads: “I
release Second Nature Therapeutic Programs LLC, Second Nature
Wilderness Programs, LLC, all employees, and contractors from any
and all liability resulting from our son’s or daughter’s
participation and assume all risks in connection there with,
including known and unknown risks. “
Basically, you have signed over your rights to sue if your child is
battered and abused by anyone while in the care of Second Nature.This is a dangerous request and one no parent should agree to.If you have been abused by Second Nature, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning
to others.
For staff and background info,
click here. Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
Silverado Boys Ranch in Panguitch, UT is
HIGHLY suspected of being an abusive behavior modification program.
Silverado Boys Ranch employs a multitude of former/current
Provo Canyon School employees, including Provo Canyon School's
founder Robert Crist. We recommend that you do not
subject your child to Silverado Boys Ranch. If you were abused
or had your rights violated by Silverado Boys Ranch, please
contact us and we will post your online statement here as a
warning to others. For staff and background info,
click here. Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
Skyline Journey Program
(Eagle Quest Outdoor Youth Development Program)is a
confirmedly abusive behavior modification program.Ian August, 14, of Austin, Texas, died in the field on Saturday,
July 13, 2002 while participating in the Skyline Journey Wilderness
Program in Nephi, Utah.
If you were abused by the Skyline Journey Program, please
contact us and we will post your online statement here as
a warning to others.
For staff and background info,
click here. Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
Sorenson’s Ranch Schoolin UT is confirmedly abusive.The UT government suspended their license, but, Sorenson’s
won in the appeal process.
The reason their license was suspended was because Shaun Sorenson,
son of the owner of the ranch, was hired to work at the ranch
following his conviction and incarceration in violation of Utah
state law regarding the employment of ex-convicts at any facility
that cares for children.He
worked at Sorenson’s Ranch as a maintenance man after his conviction
and subsequent release. According to
Layne Bagley, he is no longer working there. The facts
regarding what he was accused of and what he was convicted of are in
dispute. However, the fact that they use hired kidnappers
(escorts) to transport children to their program when multiple
states have outlawed this practice as being horribly traumatizing
and in violation of Federal Law highlights how very removed from
ethical responsibility Sorenson's is. To read an online
statement written by a parent of a survivor of Sorenson’s Ranch,
click here. See the
survivor run website at
http://sorensons.org. If you were abused or had
your rights violated at Sorenson’s Ranch, please
contact us and we will post your online statement here as
a warning to others.
For staff and background info,
click here. Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
Tavasi School--(a.k.a.
Logan
River Academy) Located in Utah. Tavasi is
confirmedly abusive as it is part of Logan River Academy.
It is owned by Robert Crist, the founder of
Logan River
Academy and Provo
Canyon School, both of which are confirmedly abusive. We
recommend you do not place your child in any facility where the
staff and/or owners have a history or record of gross negligence and
child abuse. If you were abused, defrauded, or had your rights
violated by Tavasi, please
contact
us and we will post your online statement here as a warning to
others. For staff and background info,
click here. Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
Sunhawk Academy in St. George, UT is suspected of being an
abusive behavior modification facility.They are a member of the Aspen Education Group which also runs
Stone Mountain
Academy, a confirmedly abusive program.On top of this, they are located in St. George, notorious home
of the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools.We recommend you do not send your child to this program.If you were abused or had your rights violated at Sunhawk
Academy, please
contact us and we will post your experience here as a
warning to others. For staff and background info,
click here. Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
Teen Challenge of Utah
in Salt Lake City, UT
is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here. Click here for vital
information you should know about programs in Utah!
Turn About Ranch
in Escalante, UT is an Aspen Education Group program.AEG owns Stone
Mountain School, a confirmedly abusive program.They use a level system similar to WWASPS and Provo Canyon
School and are breaking federal laws by censoring/monitoring the
mail of children in their program.
We believe that this program is highly suspect based on this
evidence and highly recommend you do not send your child to this
program.If you were abused at Turn About Ranch, please
contact us and we will post your experience here as a
warning to others. For staff and background info,
click here.
Turning Point in Granita Park, UT is confirmedly abusive.
Allegations against the facility include multiple counts of
sexual
abuse.
In the description of their program as found by clicking on the
title of this passage as of 3/19/04 they describe using the child’s
“strengths” to “crush” and “cripple” unproductive thought patterns.
These are very violent terms and suggest that they use destructive
and abusive behavior modification in their program.If you were abused or had your rights violated at Turning
Point, please
contact us and we will post your online statement here as
a warning to others.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Bromley Brook Schoolin Manchester Center, VT is an Aspen
Education Group (AEG) program. In the past few years, there
have been at least 3 reported deaths at Aspen Education Group
programs.
AEG owns
Stone Mountain
School, a confirmedly abusive program.They use a level system similar to WWASPS and Provo Canyon
School and are breaking federal laws by censoring/monitoring the
mail of children in their program.
Bromley Brook School is confirmedly abusive. On September
10th, 2009, HEAL received the following report from a mother
regarding her daughter's experience: "I
am a parent of a former student at Bromley Brook. My daughter’s
stay at Bromley Brook was very damaging to her. The program is an
outrageous fraud. My daughter was not provided with the education,
nurture, counseling, support, activities and help she needed as
promised. Moreover, the experience my daughter had at Bromley Brook
set her back emotionally. I am thankful that we finally became
convinced that it was abusive and took her out. I am considering
taking legal action against the school and my daughter may do so on
her own if I don’t. It was an abusive place that they called a
school. I only wish I had investigated the school further. Despite
our efforts, (contacting parents, counselors, so-called experts), we
were terribly misled to put it mildly."
If you were abused at Bromley Brook School, please
contact us and we will post your experience here as a
warning to others.
For staff and background info,
click here.
King George School
(CLOSED 3/25/05--RE-OPENED UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP):
in Vermont was formerly a
CEDU Family of Services program.CEDU programs are confirmedly abusive behavior modification
programs. We highly suspect
that while the ownership changed, the methods did not.
If you were abused or had your rights violated at King George
School, please
contact us and we will post your online statement here as
a warning to others. For staff and background info,
click here.
Carlbrook School--Located in Halifax, VA. Previously
part of the CEDU system (confirmedly abusive). It is
currently overseen by former CEDU staffer, Tim Brace.
If you were abused or had your rights violated at Carlbrook
School, please
contact us and we will post your statement here as a warning to
others. For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge—Virginiain Staunton, (and
cities of Newport News, Roanoke, Spotsylvania,) VA is highly
suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in
2000.The “New Freedom
Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and pharmaceutical lobbyists
working to insure that every child in America is drugged and
virtually enslaved through behavior modification.Please do not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If
you were abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge,
please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
LIFE DESIGNS
(a.k.a. Life Designs Ranch)
located at 10302 N LeClerc Road, Cusick, WA 99119 is suspected
of being a cult-like behavior modification facility.There are key words on the Life Designs website that suggest
they use the same model as Resource Realizations.And, as up until very recently, they were linked with the World
Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools and we believe it
is safe to say that they are a cult-like program designed to
brainwash young adults into behaving in conformity with their
strange notions of good, productive behavior.
On the site they discuss being safe to “explore fears”.If you have ever been in a behavior modification torture camp
you will know exactly what that can mean.Key words like Self-Esteem and Neuro-Linguistic Programming
give away the real intentions of this questionable crew.Self-Esteem means something completely different under the
TASKS/Resource Realizations/WWASPS definition.It is defined by how those in authority see you, not on how you
see yourself.Neuro-Linguistic Programming is the same language used in
Resource Realizations as well to describe brainwashing techniques.Seek help from out-patient care or self-improvement.Do not sign yourself or anyone else up for this program.If you were abused or had your rights violated by Life Designs,
please
contact us so we can post your experience here as a
warning to others.And,
to quote Randy Russell, director of Life Designs, “By the way, all the
assumptions you made about Life Designs are inaccurate, other than
me possibly being insane.”
This was a quote from the initial e-mail he sent us regarding this
post and our concerns.
Instead of taking our concerns seriously, he obviously thinks this
is a joke and lacks the professionalism to respond appropriately.This is just another reason for us to continue in our
suspicions.We have
offered Mr. Russell an opportunity to provide concrete proof that
Life Designs is not abusing their clients or committing fraud.Mr. Russell has refused to provide us with such proof and has
stated, “why would I send you my material? I would have to assume
that you would be reviewing it in order to find the "injustice" you
are focused on...”Yes, we would be reviewing it to see if in fact Life Designs
is violating federal and international human rights laws.Obviously, that idea frightens Mr. Russell.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Morning Star Boys Ranch in Spokane, WA is confirmedly
abusive. Multiple accounts of sexual abuse reported to
Washington authorities over the past decade. Do not send your
child to this facility. For more information visit:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20051017-1252-boysranch.html
If you were abused or had your rights violated at Morning Star Boys
Ranch, please contact us
and we will post your online statement here as a warning to others.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Penrith Farmsis suspected of
being a cult-like behavior modification facility.We spoke with Jim Brewster under a nom de plum on Friday,
February 6th, 2004.
We claimed to be parents of a troubled youth age 14.At no time did he correct our misinformation gathered from
teenprogram.info that Penrith Farms can take in adolescents.He asked the age of “Jake” and we said “14”.At which point Jim said, “Good, I like young boys.”We then proceeded to ask him about the structure of Penrith
Farms and the methods used for “behavior modification.”We asked if he used the Resource Realizations TASKS model for
behavior modification.
There was a brief, contemplative silence on the phone followed by
Jim stating, “We teach reality and accountability.”We then asked what he meant by “reality.”He followed up by saying, “Reality.That’s what we teach at Penrith Farms.”We had a couple of more circular bouts with this question and
answer and HEAL volunteers gave up on getting a straight answer from
him.We believe that
due to his guarded answers and game playing that Penrith Farms is
questionable at best and one should certainly look elsewhere for
real treatment and/or help.
If you had your rights violated or were abused in anyway by Penrith
Farms, please
contact us and we will post your online statement here as
a warning to others. For staff and background info,
click here.
SHAMROCK EDUCATIONAL ALTERNATIVE
located in Newman Lake, WA is suspected of being an abusive behavior
modification facility. On Friday, February 6th, 2004 a HEAL member using a nom
de plum called Shamrock Educational Alternative and spoke with Mrs.
Thomas Carter, wife and co-operator of Shamrock Educational
Alternative.Suspicions
arose when Mrs. Carter answered questions with questions.If our member asked, “what kind of boys attend Shamrock
Educational Alternative?”
Mrs. Carter would reply with “what kind of trouble are you having
with your son?”That’s
the kind of thing that went on.
Our member asked about methods used for behavior modification at
Shamrock and Mrs. Carter said “absolutely no 12 step programs are
available to the students” and “you’ll need to ask my husband”.Even though Mrs. Carter claims to co-run Shamrock Educational
Alternative she was either unwilling or unable to specify what
methods were used to modify behavior.
She said that Shamrock Educational Alternative was not a residential
treatment center.She
said they did medicate the “students” when necessary (this is
customarily used by behavior modification programs to disguise and
avoid specifically answering the question of medication).As with the other behavior modification programs they ask the
boys be left at the school for at least one year.The goal of the school is to change behavior.Another strange thing is that the school does not accept calls
from “blocked” numbers.
If your number is unlisted you need to dial a code in order to speak
with the school.Either
the competency of Mrs. Carter is in question as to her not being
able to answer simple questions regarding the program and passing
the torch to the one man, her husband, who knows all the secrets or
can sell better than she can or they are definitely trying to hide
something.HEAL recommends you do not use Shamrock Educational
Alternative or any behavior modification program that asks for
limited or controlled visits, monitors mail and phone calls, and
deprives children and parents of basic constitutional rights.If you were abused at Shamrock Educational Alternative (aka
Shamrock Acres, Shamrock Educational Academy), please
contact us so we can post your online statement here as a
warning to others.
For staff and background info,
click here.
FLYING H YOUTH RANCHlocated at 370 Flying H Loop, Naches, WA 98937.Based on the characteristics of boys they consider in need of
treatment as taken from their website at
www.flyingh.org
HEAL believes that Flying H Youth Ranch is suspicious.The characteristics listed include NORMAL teenage boy behavior
like: defiant, angry, disrespectful to authority, poor peer choices,
and wanting independence.
It seems if one is to test their boundaries in a normal teenage way
these days they will be pegged as having “Oppositional Defiant
Disorder” or some other quacky-term.
Also taken from their website is the program description which seeks
to modify behavior to conform to the following: respect for
authority, following instructions, putting forth effort to change,
using abilities to serve, and persevering.Basically, if you want to turn your child into a thoughtless,
dependent who never questions authority and refuses to think
critically then Flying H Youth Ranch is for you.Based on their descriptions HEAL believes this is a suspect
program and recommends you do not send your child to Flying H Youth
Ranch.If you were
abused at Flying H Youth Ranch, please
contact us so we can post your experience here as a
warning to others. For staff and background info,
click here.
Sea Marin Bellingham, WA is reportedly fraudulent and in
violation of Federal Laws. It is suspected, yet to be
confirmed, that they are also physically and psychologically
abusive.
They use a level system similar to WWASPS and Provo Canyon School
and are breaking federal laws by censoring/monitoring the mail of
children in their program.
We believe that this program is highly suspect based on this
evidence and highly recommend you do not send your child to this
program. If you were abused or had your rights violated by Sea
Mar, please contact us and
we will post your statement here as a warning to others.
For staff and background info,
click here.
STRAIGHT ARROW APEXlocated in Northport, WA.At age 18 in the United States you have reached majority.If your parents have extended guardianship of you, then you may
end up being sent to Straight Arrow Apex.HEAL believes that Straight Arrow Apex is a suspect behavior
modification program.Their descriptions of boys “in need of help” include:
manipulative behaviors, needs to develop work ethic, and has poor
family relationships.
So, if you are an 18 year old who is having difficulty finding work
in the current economy, fighting with folks because you don’t want
to end up on the street, and asking for patience and compassion as
you enter adulthood, then you are “troubled” and in need of Straight
Arrow Apex.The use of
the word “manipulative” is disturbing to HEAL because in our
experience behavior modification programs use the word
“manipulative” to describe honest thoughts and emotion that bind
family members to each other and express reality.
The use of the word feedback on the Straight Arrow Apex site also
raises our suspicion because it is a term that is used primarily to
describe verbal abuse by an “authority” in the TASKS program in
relating to a “student” who is being modified.We highly recommend you do not send your child and/or do not
voluntarily submit yourself to the “treatment” at Straight Arrow
Apex.If you were
abused or had your rights violated at Straight Arrow Apex, please
contact us so we can post your experience here as a
warning to others.
For staff and background info,
click here.
TEEN CHALLENGE—INT’L
located in Graham, WA
is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
TEEN CHALLENGE—RENTON
located in Renton, WA
is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
TEEN CHALLENGE—SEATTLElocated in Seattle,
WA is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
TEEN CHALLENGE—SPOKANElocated in Spokane,
WA is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
TYLER RANCHlocated at 4921 West
Rosewood, Spokane, WA 99223 is suspected to be an abusive behavior
modification facility.
This was taken from their website at
http://www.tylerranch.com/Frameset.htm
on Tuesday, February 10th, 2004:“A
structured home environment facilitates a system of immediate,
daily, and weekly feedback for residents. They earn daily points
that, depending on the totals and averages, lead to privileges.
Staff provides regular feedback and on-the-spot training each time a
deviation from the rules occurs.”
In other words, they use a point system for privileges, which is the
same type of system used in the WWASPS and Provo Canyon School
programs.They provide “feedback” which is a term used in common
vernacular but which also has a disturbing meaning when one reflects
on the Resource Realizations/TASKS definition of the word.TASKS uses the word to mean verbal abuse by an “authority
figure” in order to shame someone into hiding their true thoughts
and feelings in order to conform with the desires of the
“authority.”Perhaps
parents feel conformity and lack of independent thought is a good
thing.HEAL does not.Neither does the Constitution of the United States. On Friday, February, 6th, 2004 a HEAL member
telephoned Tyler Ranch.
The answering voice at Tyler Ranch briskly said “Hello” and refused
to identify himself.
This type of guarded behavior and unprofessionalism further lead
HEAL to believe that Tyler Ranch is hiding something.We highly recommend you do not send your child to Tyler Ranch.If you were abused at Tyler Ranch, please
contact us so we can post your experience here as a
warning to others.
For staff and background info,
click here.
JUBILEE YOUTH RANCHlocated at 100
Jubilee Lane, Prescott, WA 98348 is suspected of being an abusive
behavior modification facility.
Here are some of the rules (numbers differ from their website) of
Jubilee Youth Ranch as taken from
http://www.jyranch.org/rules.doc
on 2/9/04 by our webmaster:
No reading material of any kind, other than an approved version of
the Bible and literature approved by Jubilee Youth Ranch will be
allowed.
All students’ baggage will be searched upon arrival at Jubilee Youth
Ranch.
A staff member will read all incoming and outgoing mail.
A staff member will monitor all students phone calls.
No stereos, radios, CD’s, tapes, or tape players are allowed except
by student leaders.
No student is allowed off campus unless accompanied by a staff
member or parent, and then only after proper
notification of all staff involved.
Young men are not allowed to wear necklaces, earrings, or bracelets.
The staff reserves the right to search personal property or any room
at any time.
Punishments such as Basic Training (calisthenics), hauling wood, and
digging/filling in holes are used to
deter inappropriate
behaviors.
A staff member
always closely supervises these. (webmaster note: ever seen Cool
Hand Luke, remember the
digging and filling in holes
that broke Luke’s spirit?)
If a student
becomes violent against someone, staff is allowed to use only enough
physical force to separate the
two individuals.
If a student is
in danger of physical harm, staff is allowed to use reasonable force
to protect the youth in danger
or any others in danger.
We ask you to remember that reasonable force explains many behaviors
from authority including the Rodney King beating.We also ask you to take a look at
http://www.heal-online.org/warn.htm, a list of warning signs
taken from the International Survivors Action Committee website at
www.isaccorp.com.These warning signs include monitoring of mail and phone
conversations, limited or censored communication between parent and
child, and the restriction of basic freedoms as listed above.Based on our research, we believe heartily that Jubilee Youth
Ranch is an abusive, trauma-based behavior modification program and
we advise you to avoid sending your child to this program.If you were abused at Jubilee Youth Ranch, please
contact us so we can post your experience here as a
warning to others.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Excelsior Youth Centerin Spokane, Washington is suspected of being an abusive residential
“treatment” center.The
photographs they formerly used were the same ones used by the World
Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools which suggests
they are affiliated in some capacity.You may read the correspondence between John Ashcroft and
George Miller by visiting:
www.nospank.net/ashcroft.As of January 9th, 2004, California Representative George Miller
demanded, and was denied by John Ashcroft, an investigation into
WWASPS.According to Representative Miller of California,
“There is a
laundry list of abuse of children at WWASPS schools: deprivation of
food, deprivation of contact with their peers, physical abuse,
mental abuse, sexual abuse, and parents are paying big money for
services not rendered," Miller added in a Nov. 6 news release.”Beyond the alleged WWASPS connection, we find that many of the
program details of Excelsior Youth Center match with the
www.isaccorp.com
warning signs to look out for in an abusive program list, which can be
found at
http://www.heal-online.org/warn.htm.If you were abused at Excelsior Youth Center, please
contact us so we can post your online statement here as a
warning to others. For staff and background info,
click here.
Teen Challenge for New Lifein Wheeling, WV
(Also in Athens, WV) is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
The ChalleNGe Academy
at Ft. McCoy, WI is suspected of being an abusive facility.
Here are our
concerns: A government run program run by the department of
military affairs. 17 months long with a 12 month follow-up period.
(That is a lot of time to get a GED) one of our coordinators earned
their GED in a couple of weeks. It claims to be voluntary and
accepts only kids who don't do drugs or smoke cigarettes. One
of the statements explains themselves as being "doped up" prior to
enrollment. Also a girl writes this about her boyfriend who was in
this program: "Thank you for taking Ryan in and changing him as
much as you did.” (behavior mod.) and " Before he
went to camp he was a troublemaker. He loved trouble,
drinking, drugs, and worst of all he disrespected any and everyone…"
(Looks like they accept druggies after all). Claims kids
cannot be on parole or probation for other than juvenile
status offenses, That is interesting. What other status
offenses would a juvenile be on? We suppose they do try a lot of
kids as adults these days. Any kid who doesn't want to get a
GED themselves will not want to be in this program. Of course,
they shave the kids' heads. It seems like a pre-military, military.
Claims to cost the parent nothing, government/tax payer dollar
funded. We didn't vote for the pre-military military, did you?
If you were abused or had your rights violated at The ChalleNGe
Academy in Wisconsin, please
contact us and we will post your statement here as a warning to
others! For staff and background info,
click here.
Here is the biggest red flag that I see: "Cadets are awarded one
10-minute phone call on Sunday nights starting the third
week of the Residential Phase. Senior Cadets are allowed 20
minutes. Phone calls for emergencies or career planning are allowed
at the Cadre's discretion." (Awarded means they have to be working
the program) They should have availability every day to communicate
with friends and family. Nowhere does it state that a so-called
cadet is allowed to sign themselves out.
This may not be the traditional program as we know them but I find
it to be highly suspect. Definitely a mutated version of a program.
Teen Challenge—Wisconsinin Rudolph, (&
cities of Milwaukee,) WI is highly suspected of being a teen torture
facility.Teen
Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the Drug Free
America Foundation (DFAF).DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens.Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George
H.W. Bush.In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy.
George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification.Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were
abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please
contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to
others.To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers,
please click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen
Challenge survivors,
click here.
For staff and background info,
click here.
Mount Carmel Youth Ranchis located in
Powell, WY.Based on
their own description at their website at
http://www.mtcarmelyouthranch.com/long_term_program.html
as of 9/1/04 they use a 10-level system to modify behavior.Behavior modification is a clinical euphemism for brainwashing.They also list homosexuality as a mental disease/behavioral
problem.Based on this
minimum of information we find Mount Carmel Youth Ranch to be
suspicious. If you have firsthand experience of abuse or had your
rights violated by Mount Carmel Youth Ranch, please
contact us so we may post your experience here as a warning to
others.(Possible Name Change:
Trinity Teen Youth Solutions, Inc.)
For staff and background info,
click here.